TWO church leaders have set themselves a challenge to raise funds for a cause close to their hearts.

Nan Powell-Davies of Mold and Anna Jane Evans of Caernarfon, both ministers with the Presbyterian Church of Wales, are taking part in the 300,000 step challenge for Christian Aid Week (10-16 May).

The walk will include some of the most stunning areas of north Wales.

Over 100 people are doing the challenge throughout Wales but while most will take the whole month of May to complete it, Nan and Anna Jane have set themselves a target of just one week.

Nan said: “Anna Jane and I have been friends for many years, and we’ve done a lot of walking together. Having spent much of last year in lockdown, it feels great to be back out again.

“The 300,000 step challenge for Christian Aid Week is such a great opportunity to get out into our fantastic countryside and raise money for a crucial charity at the same time.

“The climate crisis is ravaging so many of the poorest communities in our world and during Christian Aid Week not only can we raise money to help those communities adapt, but also call on our government to act.”

The challenge will begin on Saturday, May 8 from Waunfawr and the aim is to walk the hills surrounding Snowdon – including Moel Eilo, Moel Gron and Moel Goch – on the first day.

They will finish on the following Saturday in the Clwydian Hills, starting from Mold and heading towards Cilcain.

During the week they will walk around Holy Island on Anglesey, parts of the coastal path on the Llyn peninsula and the slate trail from Bangor.

Anna Jane added: “Completing the challenge in one week sounds a lot but it pales into insignificance to the walking so many women have to do in countries like Kenya just to fetch water for their families and farms.

“Sometimes we must do extreme things in order to be heard. I hope that walking 300,000 steps in a week can help shine a spotlight on the struggles of the poorest in our world.”

Anyone wishing to support the duo can donate online to Nan’s fundraiser at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nan-powell-davies2 or Anna Jane’s fundraiser at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/anna-jane-evans2

Christian Aid’s officer for north Wales, Llinos Roberts said: “There are nearly a hundred 300,000 step challenges being completed around Wales for Christian Aid Week but I don’t think anyone is aiming to push themselves as hard as Nan and Anna Jane by aiming to do it all in a week.

“I’d like to thank them for such a fantastic effort. The money they will raise will go towards Christian Aid’s work with some of the poorest communities in the world. In places like Kenya, the climate crisis is having a devastating effect on the lives of people who were already poor.”