Ammanford minister walks 100 miles to raise funds — and spirits

Rev Emyr Gwyn doesn’t consider himself an athlete. But over the past few weeks, the 60‑something minister from Gellimanwydd Church in Ammanford quietly clocked up 100 miles on foot — raising more than £1,100 for international charity Christian Aid and bringing together friends, congregations and communities along the way.

His challenge took him across rural Carmarthenshire, along the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, and beside the River Towy. He walked with friends from local churches, shared stories over footpaths and flask breaks, and ended the final stretch with a celebration at Gellimanwydd Chapel.

Rev Emyr Gwyn and friends pictured during one of the charity walk stages at Pantyffynnon Station.

“Quite an achievement for someone 60+”

Rev Gwyn said the walks were a chance to reflect, connect and give back:

“I loved the quiet rural roads and the beautiful scenery. There were no major challenges but one needed to be disciplined; there are harder tasks than this but walking 100 miles – which took almost 40 hours to complete – is quite an achievement for a person who’s 60+ and a good way to keep fit.

My thanks to everyone who sponsored me for such a worthy cause.”

A cause close to home

While the fundraising total — £1,172.50 — will support Christian Aid’s global work, the challenge itself was rooted in local connection. Gwyn’s walks were joined by friends from Ammanford churches, and the final gathering at Gellimanwydd Chapel was a moment of shared pride.

Christian Aid’s Church Engagement Officer, Llinos Roberts, joined the celebration to thank the group and speak about the charity’s latest appeals.

Friends and supporters gathered at Gellimanwydd Chapel to celebrate Rev Emyr Gwyn’s 100‑mile charity walk.

From Ammanford to the world

Founded in 1945, Christian Aid supports communities facing poverty, injustice and climate crisis. Last year, it worked with 260 partners to reach 4.5 million people worldwide.

But for Rev Gwyn, the challenge was about more than numbers. It was about showing that small steps — taken with purpose — can make a difference.

#ammanford #carmarthenshire #charity #christianAid #emyrGwyn #gellimanwyddChurch #walkingChallenge

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Lord we worship you because you are the God of miracles. We give thanks for those amazing miracles that you perform every day and which we take for granted. We thank you for the miracle of each breath that we take; the miraculous beauty of the flowers and animals around us; and for the miracle of love and peace.

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Loving Jesus, thank you for your commitment to healing and compassion, even when the work was dangerous for you to do. Give inspiration and courage to those who serve in unsettled environments today, and surround them – all those who they serve – with your protection and peace. Amen.

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Today’s theme is #ClimateJustice, considering the imbalance between rich and poor: the rich polluting & ravaging the planet whilst the poor pay the price & struggle to survive in their wake.

Thank God for organisations like #ChristianAid, #TearFund & #CAFOD, to name but some, who highlight this issue. What we have now is gross climate injustice: how we need to turn things around!

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Thank you, God, for the intrinsic value and worth you give to all without exception. Give me courage to acknowledge the ways in which I benefit from unjust systems, and to repent of the ways in which I’ve upheld them. Help me now to be part of the tearing down of inequalities. Amen.

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