The High Sheriff of West Glamorgan, Diana Stroia, set herself a massive challenge back in June, to complete a 10-mile walk in aid of Wales Air Ambulance.
The 47-year-old admits the week before she was ‘very nervous’ about taking part because she suffers from two very debilitating conditions which leave her in excruciating pain.
Diana, who is originally from Romania, but has lived in Wales for 22 years has Endometriosis and Adenomyosis, which at times have resulted in her being bed bound.
She said: “For the last 3 years, I decided to push myself by joining a challenge to raise funds for charity. This year, when I saw that James Hook was doing his in-person walking fundraiser in aid of Wales Air Ambulance I wanted to take part and support this worthy charity.
“I used to be so active, sport was my second nature. When I moved to Wales, I regularly ran at Aberavon beach.
“It helped keep my mind clear and strong, but eight years ago everything changed; pain hit me out of nowhere. At first, I could not explain it.
“It felt like labour that never stopped. Going to work, walking the dogs, some days I couldn’t do it.”
Diana underwent numerous tests and finally got a diagnosis. She was given two options: repeat surgeries with no guaranteed success or pain management.
She said: “I chose pain management, so what followed was nearly two years of barely functioning.
“I lost core muscle strength, and I had to learn how to walk again.
“So, when I signed up to do the walk with James Hook, I started to panic in the weeks before because I didn’t have time to train.
“I had a very busy May, normally I would allocate a few hours a week for walks. Someone suggested that I do the shorter walk, the 3 miles from Caswell – but I could not entertain that.
“I just wanted to see if I could do it from beginning to end.”
On Saturday 7 June 2025, Diana, completed the 10-mile challenge from Oxwich Bay to Bracelet Bay.
She said: “Everyone was happy! It does not take much to get me excited. But it felt like a huge achievement for me.
“James is a nice guy, and I fed off the energy from him, his wife Kim and his rugby mates. I had two of my best friends with me also and it just felt amazing to get over the line for such a fantastic cause.”
Diana moved to the UK 24 years ago and is an accountant by trade. She has also served as the Honorary Consul of Romania in Wales for six years.
She said: “For me it means a lot to know where I’ve coming from, my roots, my traditions, my heritage and language. So, I am passionate about helping preserve that.
Once Diana’s name was in the London Gazette for the role of the High Sheriff she had to step down from her duties. She said: “It is a very, very big honour. I always thought you had to be from a certain economic background, so it has been a complete surprise to be appointed.
“When I first got the call to tell me about it, I thought I had been pranked. It took a couple of phone calls for it to sink in, but I have to say it’s been such an uplifting and humbling experience.
“There are such wonderful pockets of communities across Wales, and now I have the opportunity to throw myself into every little corner of West Glamorgan to meet people and learn about their life journey. I am absolutely loving it.”
Diana, is keen to use her role to help shine a light on causes which strike a chord with her.
She says, “Wales Air Ambulance, is a vital service” and she wanted to take part in the Walk Wales event to use her platform to help raise awareness.
The Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and, if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury.
It is delivered via a unique third sector and public sector partnership. The Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations to raise the £11.2 million required every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.
The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the Charity’s vehicles.
This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.
As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency critical care.
Diana said: “Nobody plans to have an accident. Nobody plans to be on a beach and need instant medical care. Nobody plans to be on a small little road somewhere in the mountains and have a serious injury.
“Through my various roles, I have met so many people and have realised how quickly life can change in a second.
“Wales Air Ambulance provides a critical service for those who have suffered horrendous injuries, or a serious health episode and it does absolutely amazing work.”
Wales Air Ambulance, Chief Executive Dr Sue Barnes said: “We are hugely grateful for the support of High Sheriff of West Glamorgan, Diana Stroia.
“She is doing incredible work in her community, and beyond, and we are delighted that she was able to join us for James Hook’s very first in-person walking event.
“It has been very moving to hear how Diana has navigated such debilitating conditions which clearly impact her fitness and wellbeing.
“So, it was even more special to walk alongside her at our event in June, Diana’s story is inspirational, and I hope it will give hope to others going through similar health issues.”
