I have been a supporter of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (formerly the Dyfed Wildlife Trust) since the 1980’s but didn’t start to volunteer till my I made my first visit to Skomer in 1990. I have continued to volunteer on Skomer and latterly Skokholm since then. Although I love Skomer very much and know it well, in 2010 I was asked to help with the rebuilding project on Skokholm. I felt it was no longer appropriate for me to take on building work but instead I offered to cook for the volunteer work parties and the post of cook was agreed. I have continued to help when required (usually at least once a year) since then. I also served as a Trustee of WTSWW for 9 years and as the Chair of the Local Groups Forum for 6 years. I am currently the retiring Chair of the Friends of Skokholm and Skomer but hope to remain involved with the Committee. Needless to say I love the islands as many people do.

I can say that I have had some of the best times of my life on the islands, enjoying amazing company, learning a huge amount from staff and other volunteers and having many chances to interact with wildlife at close quarters. I will never forget the friends I have made or the time I found myself looking straight into the eyes of a short eared owl whom I surprised on the footpath while he was eating a hapless mouse. I have had countless other close encounters with many of the seabirds, once holding a Manx shearwater for her leg ring to be checked and finding she was 42 years old meaning she had crossed the Atlantic around 80 times. Besides the seabirds I have also been able to see the cetaceans, sunfish, jellyfish and other wonderful creatures at close quarters. There are so many reasons why I love the islands and respect the unique, beautiful if sometimes uncompromising environment they provide.

Aside from time spent on the islands I have had a career which focussed mostly on working with people with disabilities and at times advocating for them. I myself am now classed as disabled and have a back condition which causes me constant pain and prevents me from walking a distance unaided. Having some understanding of the exclusion from everyday activities that people with disabilities experience, as well as my own increasing needs, I have been keen to support accessibility and in particular the setting up of accessible boat trips, facilitated by WTSWW and Dale Sailing. These trips are constantly over-subscribed and funding is precarious but the value of the trips and the joy brought to participants is immeasurable. Wheelchair users and anyone with a disability who is unable to attempt the landings on the islands can at least see them and the seabirds and other wildlife around them. Feedback has been fantastic and just knowing that the trips are available has had an uplifting effect. We want to go on improving access to nature for everyone so I am now going to attempt a walk around five of WTSWW’s reserves to support equality of access to nature, primarily on or around Skome and Skokholm. . Funds raised will be ring fenced for the use of the Friends of Skokholm and Skomer so that the Friends can contribute by adding additional boat trips or helping with other projects to enable access to the islands. I will walk at Cors Caron, Teifi Marshes, Llangloffan Fen, Parc Slip and Goodwick Moor during the week beginning 6th July, using my rollator due to the distances. I will have a helper during each walk who can verify that I have competed the walks and thanks are due to them for committing their time so I can walk. I aim to raise a minimum of £750 so any donations, however small, will be very welcome.

Our mission is to rebuild biodiversity and engage people with their environment.