Walking the Brecon Beacons and Walk your Way Slim are Facebook groups which provide guided walks to members. Anyone who shares the same love of the hills and mountains can become a member and enjoy the free benefits, which include, safety information, beautiful photography, route plans, equipment recommendations, free navigation courses and many active discussions - it's a real vibrant community for like-minded people.

All page administrators are volunteers and invest a significant amount of their own time to plan and arrange some glorious walks in and around South Wales (and sometimes beyond) for the benefit of the local community and visitors to the area.

So why do I think these groups are important?

Any monies raised is always directly invested back into the group to support the essential training of outdoor leaders and for safety equipment which in turn benefits all members and the local community. The more trained leaders and first aiders, the safer you and the community will be.

My personal story:

A couple of years ago, I was over-weight and feeling downright depressed at not being able to walk the hills and mountains as my knees wouldn't function without incredible pain so I had to do something about it. I joined Slimming World in January 2016 and with the support of a fabulous Consultant (shout-out for Nic Evz, Ystradgynlais Group) and group members, I have lost five and a half stone, so far and I'm back to feeling great again.

Additionally, I joined the 'Walking the Brecon Beacons' group and have since made some great friends. I gained enough confidence to set up my own group 'Walk your Way Slim' to encourage others to stay active and healthy. You see, I know how it feels to be over-weight and unhealthy and I know how amazingly proud you feel when you lose weight and get back out walking again.

My life-time ambition has been to walk to Everest Base Camp. I have signed-up to go in November 2019 with Bigfoot Services Ltd run by Alan Ward, a Walking the Brecon Beacons Administrator.

I have much to thank the group for, so I am appealing to my friends and acquaintances for any contribution, no matter how small, to sponsor my walk to Everest Base camp with any monies raised to go to the two walking groups who, ultimately, invest this back into the community for the benefit of all. I want to 'give back' to these local groups whose ethos around investing in people for everyone's safety on the hills and mountains and which have been a huge part of my life these last 2 years.

It's so easy to support the big charities who do amazing work, I'd like to support a smaller, local initiative. I hope you also find this a worthwhile cause.

Thank you

Jane