Intrepid fundraiser Elbie Todd is to embark on a new charity effort in support of Help for Heroes.
By the end of the year, Elbie, who works as an administrator at Island Roads, is attempting to walk 457 miles, one for each serviceman killed during the Afghanistan conflict.
She is undertaking the new challenge immediately after finishing her last one – walking 100 miles in September which raised nearly £1,000 for Help for the Heroes, including a matched funding donation from Island Roads.
Help for Heroes is a cause close to Elbie’s heart. Not only was she the charity’s county co-ordinator for Herefordshire (home of the SAS) from 2006 until 2016 when she came to the Island, her son Robby is a veteran of two Afghan tours of duty. She remains a volunteer and is in regular contact with two soldiers seriously injured while serving in Afghanistan.
“We made a promise to our boys and girls to be there for them no matter what and me walking is the least I can do,” said Elbie who is also a volunteer with WightSAR search and rescue.
“I’d like to say a big thank you to all of those who have supported me so far and hopefully I can raise another good sum from the next walk. I am getting great support from my colleagues who are offering to join me in walks over the coming weeks.”
Island Roads service director Steve Ashman said: “We are very proud of Elbie and are delighted to have supported her in her fundraising work. The amount of fundraising and volunteering she undertakes is an inspiration to us all and we wish her all the best as she embarks on this latest challenge.”
Donations to Elbie’s next challenge can be made via her Just Giving page.