Andes success for Wealden Chairman

Wealden’s Chairman, Councillor Mrs Pat Kennedy, has come down for the clouds after successfully raising £6,500 for the Sussex Air Ambulance Appeal.

She has just completed a sponsored walk in the Peruvian Andes which took her to altitudes of 4,200 metres to visit the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu. She beat her fund raising target for the Sussex Air Ambulance by £1,500.

“It has been a most wonderful experience....something I will remember for the rest of my life. But it was certainly not a trip for the faint hearted.”

The Inca Trail involves climbing nearly 2000 metres during a rugged four-day hike through mountain passes in the Andes, and having to cope with breathlessness and altitude sickness. But for Buxted & Maresfield Councillor, who became Chairman of Wealden District Council last month, it also meant an 18 hours plane journey to get there…and Cllr Mrs Kennedy does not like flying.

“I would like to thank everyone, individuals and organisations, who sponsored me on behalf of the Sussex Air Ambulance Appeal,” she said. “The desperate need for a dedicated air ambulance for Sussex was highlighted my predecessor, Councillor John Vincent, who sadly died in July. I am proud to have been able to help make this contribution to the appeal.”

Mrs Kennedy was one of a party of 15 charity walkers who completed the Inca Trail in a trip organised by Charity Challenge.

Note to Editors:

The Sussex Air Ambulance Appeal is organised by Kent Air Ambulance who hope to have raise enough money by March 2006 for a dedicate Sussex Air Ambulance to be based near Gatwick airport.

Donations to the Chairman’s Sussex Air Ambulance Appeal can be sent to:

Cllr Mrs Pat Kennedy.

Wealden District Council,

Pine Grove,

Crowborough

East Sussex TN6 1DH.

Cheques should be made payable to the Sussex Air Ambulance Appeal.