A little girl is a step closer to the funds she needs for life-changing physiotherapy to help her walk thanks to kind-hearted ramblers.

A total of 56 people took part in a ‘Funathlon’  on Saturday held in aid of Betsi Vanda Roberts, aged four, of Penyffordd, who has cerebral palsy.

Steve McHugh, of organisers North Wales Charity Ramblers (NWCR), said the event was expected to raise £2,500 for the Help Betsi Walk appeal and praised the “very good turnout”.

Betsi and her parents Sion, 29, and Sarah, 26, attended the event which started at Buckley Leisure Centre.  

Pictures by Craig Colville / NWN Media

Mrs Roberts said: “It was brilliant. It was such a good turn out and the atmosphere was brilliant.

“Everybody did a fantastic job.”

Mr Roberts took part in the cycling section of the triathlon while Betsi’s grandfather Alan Barlow and cousin Huw Evans  were also among the cyclists.

Each year NWCR selects a charity and members organise and participate in a variety of sponsored events, such as walks, cycle rides and horse rides.

They have raised £12,000 on average per year for their chosen charities over the last 25 years.  

The Funathlon event took place to help raise funds for Betsi’s intensive physiotherapy.

Betsi underwent an operation earlier this year which totalled £20,000 but the intensive physiotherapy after the operation will cost up to £30,000.

Thanks to fundraising events such as the Funathlon and the online donation pages on Justgiving and Tree of Hope, the family is half way to achieving their goal.

The  Funathlon started with a 20-lengths swim at Buckley Leisure Centre and continued with a 10k run and a 25k cycle before finishing with a traditional barbecue at the Red Lion, Penyffordd, one of the event’s many sponsors.

Mr McHugh added: “It’s a really nice way to bring the community together. It’s not just the taking part, we need many supporters to put this triathlon on, such as marshals for the cyclists, there are many volunteers.

“It’s a good time and good community time – doing something for a good cause . We’ve had support from all around.”

Chris Jones, of NWCR, added: “The community is fantastic, without them we would not be able to achieve what we do.”

He added: “A special thank you for all the helpers and marshals and the people who took part.”