During National Volunteers’ Week (June 1 to 7), daredevil supporters of the charity Save the Children’s will brave the world’s fastest zip wire to help raise money for children.

The challenge will take place at Zip World in Penrhyn Quarry, north Wales, on Thursday, June 3, with adrenaline-seeking volunteers from across Wales reaching new hights in their fundraising efforts for the charity by zipping down the Velocity 2 wire at a speed of up to 100 miles per hour.

Since the earliest days of the pandemic Save the Children has supported 11.8 million children, adapting and scaling up their programmes so that they can continue to be safe, healthy and learning.

Children here in Wales have also been impacted by economic hardships and the charity helped by providing emergency grants for food vouchers and essential household items and learning resources and devices to help with home learning.

This work would not have been possible without volunteers across Wales continuing to raise funds for the charity despite the challenges created by the pandemic.

Longstanding volunteer Caroline Williams, Chair of the Tenby Branch who is helping to co-ordinate the challenge said: “As branches we’ve had to cancel or pause our usual fundraising plans and events over the past year which is why we got together virtually as volunteers across Wales to discuss what we could do to continue raising money for the charity.

“In December we set ourselves the challenge of walking the equivalent distance of the Wales Coastal path within our local areas and raised over £11,000.

“We’re reaching new heights with our next fundraiser and gearing up to brave the fastest zip wire ride in the world on June 3 and hoping to raise lots of money.”

National Volunteers’ Week presents an opportunity to celebrate the fantastic contribution volunteers make in so many ways by raising vital funds, helping out in retail stores, campaigning and helping with work in communities.

Melanie Simmonds, Head of Save the Children in Wales added: “For millions of children in all corners of the world their lives changed overnight as schools closed, routine healthcare stopped and the ability to protect children and keep them safe paused.

“Over the past year we’ve repeatedly heard from families living on low incomes in Wales how they have had to cut back on essentials such as food, heating and clothing for children and are sinking deeper into debt.

“Many parents also didn’t have the tools, resources and skills to adequately support their child’s learning and development at home which led to a lot of stress and anxiety. The money raised was essential in helping us to get the support needed to families during this time.

“Our volunteers have played such a vital role in the pandemic response and we’re so grateful to each and every one for coming up with such innovative ideas. There really is no limit to what they are prepared to do even if it means attempting the world’s fastest zip wire at speeds of over 100mph!

“Thank you for all the wonderful work you do for us and for all that you’ve achieved for children.”

To support and donate to the Team Save the Children Zip wire challenge please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/team/World Save the Children Wales Zipworld Challenge - 3rd June 2021 fundraising for Save the Children on JustGiving