More than 20 participants from Castle Court Shopping Centre in Caerphilly have raised £1,001 for Wales Air Ambulance by completing a month-long virtual journey across Wales, covering a collective 1,115 miles and doubling their original distance goal of 620 miles.
A virtual journey past historic castles
The 'Castle Conquest Challenge' took place throughout July, with participants pledging to move at least a mile every day by running, walking, hiking, cycling, paddling, or rolling. The virtual route began outside Castle Court, opposite Caerphilly Castle, and passed 74 historic Welsh fortresses, including Chepstow, Conwy, Caernarfon, Harlech, Pembroke, and Cardiff castles.
The team's effort raised more than double their initial £500 target, during the charity's 25th anniversary year. The cause is particularly close to the shopping centre team's heart, as Castle Court sits directly next to Caerphilly Castle's grounds, where emergency air ambulances land when responding to local incidents.
Team motivation and community spirit
Hannah Clark, 39, centre manager and mother-of-two who commutes from Llandough, said the enthusiasm completely exceeded her expectations: "We set ourselves what we thought was an ambitious challenge, but the response was incredible. The virtual castle journey gave everyone a shared goal and made every mile feel like another step around Wales. More importantly, every mile has helped support a charity that provides an essential lifesaving service."
Clark explained the personal connection: "If there is ever a serious medical emergency in the town centre, the helicopter lands not far from where we are. It holds a special place in many people’s hearts around here—we all know someone who has benefited from the service."
Ongoing fitness club and charity impact
Participants kept each other motivated using a WhatsApp group and tracked their distance via Strava. Despite hot weather and physical challenges for those unused to exercise, the initiative proved so uplifting that participants have kept their Strava fitness club running. "Some tenants wanted to get fit and lose weight, while for those who struggle with mental health, getting outdoors each day has been transformative," Hannah added. "This has brought us all together - and who knows, we might end up doing a 5k or half marathon next!"
Wales Air Ambulance is the only air ambulance charity dedicated solely to Wales, delivering advanced critical care 24 hours a day. Through a partnership with the NHS Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS), on-board consultants can administer anaesthesia, perform blood transfusions, and conduct minor surgery directly at the scene. Relying entirely on public donations, the charity must raise around £13 million every year to keep its helicopters flying and rapid response vehicles on the road.
Christian Sullivan, Wales Air Ambulance regional fundraising manager, expressed his gratitude: "We are hugely grateful to the Castle Court Shopping Centre team for raising over £1,000 for our lifesaving service. It’s fantastic that a ‘mile a day’ challenge has inspired the creation of an ongoing fitness club. Every pound raised ensures we can continue to be there for the people of Wales whenever they need us. Diolch yn fawr!"
