Wednesday 22 January 2020

A young woman from South Wales has raised £1,230 for Wales Air Ambulance after completing an incredible feat of thirty challenges in just twelve months.

Zoe Selby from Cardiff was inspired to fundraise for Charity after suffering her own personal heartbreak.

Zoe explains how her fundraising challenge came to be: “I was in a very dark place. In the space of two years, I’d lost my Nan and my Dad very suddenly. With so much sadness surrounding my life as I approached my 30^th birthday, I decided I wanted to do something that mattered.

“It has always been an ambition of mine to complete a bucket list, so I thought there was no better time than the present to make this happen. Also, what better way to celebrate the milestone of reaching 30 than my completing the biggest set of challenges in my life.”

“I knew I wanted to do thirty events. The first twenty I had in mind which were things I’d always wanted to. The last few were quite flexible as we had to factor in weather and costs. I’ve always been a bit of an adrenaline junkie, so the events were very much geared around high tempo outdoor pursuits.”

The challenges which took place over the course of twelve months saw Zoe along with friends, family and supporters tackle everything from charity swims, yogathons, to custard baths, bungee jumps, and zip wires.

Zoe added: “I really enjoyed getting people together and I’ve made so many new friends. I particularly enjoyed event number three which was a circus-themed event. As a result of the event, I have now taken up flying trapeze as a hobby. Completing these challenges has given me the chance not only test myself but also help people overcome certain fears or do things they never thought possible.”

“There were some low points throughout the challenges, particularly during the coasteering and three peaks challenge, a few of us really struggled. We all came together however and got through it. Despite a nine-hour trek and some awful sunburn we managed to complete the challenge.”

Wales Air Ambulance South Wales Fundraising Manager, Rob Coles said: “We cannot begin to thank Zoe enough for her amazing support. To do what she has done in just twelve months is truly admirable and we are so impressed by what she has achieved. We are always bowled over in the Charity by how creative our supporters are in raising money for us. Zoe’s challenges are a shining example of how one person’s drive to do something good really has helped to make a difference.”

Zoe added: “I’m so happy to have collectively raised £6,189 for my chosen charities. To be able to donate £1,230 of that to Wales Air Ambulance is a great feeling and I’m proud looking back at what has been achieved over the last year. I’d like to say a very special thanks to my family and friends for their unwavering support and help in planning these events. I couldn’t have done it without them.

“To each and every person who took part, donated and supported, thank you – I’m so grateful.”

Zoe shows no signs of slowing down and after a very busy year is already looking forward to the next fundraising campaign in 2020.