IN September, Anthony Mattick (community council chairman of Saundersfoot) is embarking on a trip of a lifetime by trekking to Machu Picchu in Peru.

This will be no ordinary feat, as Anthony has had to regain some form of fitness following a serious road collision in June 2012, when he was knocked from his pedal cycle whilst cycling home from work in Carmarthen.

The accident resulted in Anthony sustaining multiple fractures and internal bleeding which resulted in him being airlifted to Cardiff for lifesaving treatment.

Whilst in The Heath Hospital, Anthony received many visitors, one of which was an old-school friend, comedian and TV/radio presenter, Rhod Gilbert.

Anthony and Rhod had grown up and schooled together in Carmarthen until the late 1980s when Anthony joined Dyfed-Powys Police and was first stationed to Pembrokeshire.

It was at his hospital bedside that Rhod first made a pact that the two of them would go on a sponsored walk together, as Anthony, up to that point had been involved in a number fundraising events, raising more than £75,000.

Since 2012, Rhod has become a patron for The Velindre Cancer Hospital based in Cardiff and been on several worldwide treks, whilst Anthony, having been ill health retired from the police service in 2013, hasn’t had the fitness to accompany him.

Last Christmas Eve, whilst attending their annual ‘school friends’ get-together, Rhod wouldn’t take no for an answer and told Anthony that he was getting slightly fed up of him not keeping to his side of the agreement, so they are now participating in this year’s, Velindre Cancer Hospital Fundraising trek to Machu Picchu. (http://www.velindrefundraising.com/events/machu-picchu-trek)

After retiring from the police with 25 years’ service, Anthony has taken a change in career and currently works at Ysgol Greenhill School, Tenby, where he is employed as the behavioural and pastoral care manager (known as the Hub).

This is something that he very much enjoys, working with young people from within the communities in and around Tenby and Saundersfoot.

As part of Anthony’s fundraising for the trek, he is helping Rhod (obviously not on stage) with a live show on Friday September 1, entitled, ‘Rhod Gilbert and Friends, Hoof Cancer Right Where it Hurts’ at The Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff.

Over 2,000 tickets went on pre-sale at the end of May and they sold out in one day, prior to going on general sale.

During the performance, a live auction (conducted by Rhod) is taking place.

Anthony is very grateful to a number of Saundersfoot businesses who have already come together (Powells Cottages, Folly Farm, The Royal Oak, The Salvage Bar, Little & Large Bites, Dean Ludlow, Boho) to auction a local prize of a family weekend break with food and treats; whilst Mr. Gavin Davies is offering a fishing trip for four to catch lobsters.

If any additional businesses and/or local attractions within Pembrokeshire would like to donate a prize for the live auction in Cardiff, it would very much be appreciated and help showcase the county further.

Anthony is also raising funds locally for Velindre, with assistance from friends, staff and pupils at Ysgol Greenhill School, Tenby.

Last Wednesday, 50 staff and pupils embarked on a 6.5-mile sponsored walk along the coastal path from Saundersfoot Harbour to Tenby Harbour where they were welcomed by Mr. Andrew Davies, of Tenby Town Council.

The weather was kind and pupils thoroughly enjoyed the walk, raising to date in excess of £500.

If anyone would like to get in touch or make a personal donation, Anthony has a ‘Just Giving’ page (https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Anthony-Mattick) running and any monies donated would very much be appreciated.