A Tywyn family is raising money for a local emergency group by taking part in this year’s Race the Train event.

Tywyn town councillor Hilary Rowlands and her two children, Alison and Cameron, will be running - and walking - the route of Talyllyn Railway later this month in support of Dysynni First Responders, who provide much-needed lifesaving equipment in Tywyn and its surrounding areas.

The responders also provide training for local people to give vital assistance if a person collapses.

Hilary recently participated in this training at the Ganolfan, Abergynolwyn, and said she was “astounded by the cost of providing and maintaining these lifesaving machines, and decided that the families’ efforts on the race day would hopefully raise awareness and some funds towards the local charity”.

Hilary hopes that the equipment will be a valuable addition to the community, allowing the First Responders to be prepared and poised to deal with a crisis before emergency services can arrive and take over, especially since Tywyn is a relatively rural area.

Despite suffering from a foot injury, Hilary will be walking the Dolgoch Challenge. Her daughter Alison will run the course.

Son Cameron will run in the Tynllwyn Hen challenge as part of Race the Train 2019.

Sponsor forms are available around Tywyn, at the New Image Salon, Amaethwyr Dysynni and Caffi’r Ceunant in Abergynolwyn.