By Bejay Browne
SIXTEEN members of a Paphos walking group will take part in a sponsored coast-to-coast effort to raise funds for a local charity.
The Paphos Happy Wanderers group was established ten years ago and currently boasts 120 members, some of whom will walk 65km to raise funds for the Paphos cancer patients support group, CPSG.
Committee member and avid walker Don Finlayson will be taking part. He told the Cyprus Mail: “As this is a long and at times grueling walk, only our elite long distance walkers will participate. We are hoping to raise one thousand euros for the charity.”
The CPSG supports the Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends (PASYKAF) through fundraising. They help to provide numerous services including free home nursing, psychosocial support, travel to the oncology centre in Nicosia and a free helpline.
This is the second time the walking group is having a go at the long distance walk from Argaka to Mandria in Paphos. Five or so years ago members completed the course raising hundreds for the same charity.
“My wife Dolly is on the CPSG committee and we are both cancer survivors. The charity undertakes such an important role and the nurses and volunteers do such a wonderful job, we all wanted to do something to help,” he said.
On Monday, March 24, sixteen walkers will set off from Liza’s Place, a restaurant in Argaka, and make the 33 km trip to Kannaviou village. Day two will see them walk a further 30km to Mandria and on to the seafront.
“We will then dip our probably sore feet in the sea,” said Finlayson.
Most of the members of the walking group are retired British expats, although there are a number of younger members and a few Cypriots. Finlayson and his wife moved to Cyprus a decade ago, where he took up walking, something he hadn’t previously done in the UK.
“I was a member of the Forces and quite fit. Walking is a good way to promote a healthy lifestyle and to see the real Cyprus,” he said.
The walking group also organise two or three trips to other areas of the island every year.
The Ayios Georgios resident said this is a superb way to discover the island.
The group will be accompanied by two support drivers to provide back-up and assistance if required and all of the participants are in the process of gaining sponsorship.
“It is proving difficult to get sponsorship at present due to the poor economic climate, but we are hoping that people will help us to raise substantial funds for the CPSG,” he said.
For further information or to sponsor the walkers contact Don Finlayson 99758500
www.cancerpatientssupport.net
