An 87-year-old Ceredigion fundraiser who has raised over £6,500 for Blood Bikes Wales has said she has had a “fantastic” time taking part in hair-raising fundraising efforts, including riding on a zip-wire and piloting a small plane.

Cynthia Whiting, who lives in Maenygroes, near New Quay, but also volunteers at the Aberystwyth charity shop of Hospice at Home Aberystwyth Volunteers, has taken part in a number of fundraising events after deciding she wanted to raise vital funds for Blood Bikes Wales.

She has already presented the charity with £6,165, and has raised a further £500 to hand over.

During her year as the chair for District 15 of the Inner Wheel, Cynthia chose Blood Bikes Wales as her charity and said she had been busy carrying out a range of activities.

They include completing a high-speed RIB boat ride on the Menai Straits, piloting a small plane over the Gower Peninsula, and riding the zip-wire which travels at around 100mph, but Cynthia said despite the high octane activities, she had been focused on raising money.

Cynthia said: “I’m 87 years old so I’m no spring chicken, but I am a game bird.

“I’ve been extremely busy and it’s been fantastic.

“I’ve enjoyed the year. I thought the zip-wire was absolutely fantastic.

“There’s a slightly heart-stopping moment where you’re lying on a bed and it drops, leaving you hanging there until they press the button.

“You’re travelling at 100mph and are on it for 55 seconds.

“When you have a goal you don’t really mind what you do.”

Blood Bikes Wales operates across Wales and provides transport for medical supplies between hospitals.

The organisation relies on volunteers and donations from the public to be able to maintain and insure the bikes that are used.

Cynthia said the work done by the charity was vital and she had been keen to support them.

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