A MOTHER and daughter from Dolgellau will take part in a 70-mile vineyard-to-vineyard walk in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Cari and Emma Williams will walk from Montgomery Vineyard to White Castle vineyard near Abergavenny in July.

Some of the walk will be carried out virtually in the Dolgellau area.

Cari said: “My mum Emma works in Gwin Dylanwad in Dolgellau and we both went harvesting grapes at Montgomery vineyard last year.

“We thought it would be challenging yet fun to complete a vineyard to vineyard walk along Offa’s Dyke covering about 70 miles.

“It is our intention to start the walk at Montgomery Vineyard.

“We will complete the middle sections virtually if we cannot make it to the border during the given time.

“Then we end up at White Castle near Abergavenny (probably with a celebratory tipple at the end!) and we will complete this in July.

“My mum has worked in the shop for over 20 years and after learning the diagnosis of her employer Dylan’s dear friend who has been visiting Dolgellau for over 40 years, she wanted to show her support.

“Our awareness was also raised when we watched the BBC documentary Rob Burrow: My year with MND. We decided to team up and fundraise for this charity.

“My employer has also said they will match donations up to £500.

“Donations have started to come in already and we haven’t started promoting it properly yet.

“There will be posts on our social media and JustGiving page to keep everybody informed about the progress.

“A map will also be shown in Dylanwad shop window.

“MND is a fatal, rapidly progressing disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. It attacks the nerves that control movement so muscles no longer work. MND does not usually affect the senses such as sight, sound, feeling etc.

“It can leave people locked in a failing body, unable to move, talk and eventually breathe.

“Over 80 per cent of people with MND will have communication difficulties, including for some, a complete loss of voice.

“It kills a third of people within a year and more than half within two years of diagnosis. The disease has no cure.

“The MND Association is the only national charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland focused on MND care, research and campaigning. They improve care and support for people with MND, their families and carers.

“They fund and promote research that leads to new understanding and treatments, and brings them closer to a cure for MND.

“They campaign and raise awareness so the needs of people with MND and everyone who cares for them are recognised and addressed by wider society.

To follow their efforts and to donate to the fundraiser, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cari-emma