By Caroline Welch

Charity patron Annie Maw is preparing to climb Glastonbury Tor in a wheelchair on Saturday in a huge fundraising "push" for charity.

Annie, the former Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, has never been to the top of the 158-metre (518 foot) iconic landmark – even before she had her horse-riding accident in 2002 which led to her becoming a wheelchair-user.

Now she's going to do it in a specially-adapted chair on Saturday in an event billed as AAA – standing for "Annie's Assisted Ascent."  

This will be a huge challenge because the route to the top of the Tor is steep and the terrain is rocky and bumpy.

But Annie says she is determined to succeed – both to support other wheelchair-users who face challenges in everyday life and to raise money on behalf of Festival Medical Services (FMS) – the Somerton-based charity founded by Croscombe GP Dr Chris Howes which delivers nursing and medical care at Glastonbury Festival and other outdoor events around the UK.  

And organisers FMS intend to give the sponsorship money Annie raises to two other medical charities. They have been doing this throughout their 45-year existence and have raised nearly £1.5 million for medical projects in the UK and around the world.

This time the money will be split between Motivation and Humanity & Inclusion. Motivation is an international disability and inclusion charity, based in Bristol. They provide wheelchairs, training and support to empower disabled people in Africa and India to gain independence, improve their confidence and transform their own lives.

They are providing the all-terrain wheelchair that Annie will use on Saturday.

Humanity & Inclusion work alongside disabled and vulnerable people around the world – particularly in countries affected by conflict, natural disaster and poverty.

Former nurse Annie, who lives in Pilton, said: "I'm taking on this terrific challenge for two reasons. Firstly, I want to highlight that being a wheelchair-user can bring many difficulties in getting around to places that able-bodied people take for granted – but we must keep pushing the boundaries and proving there is more and more we can achieve.

 "Secondly, I'm doing it to highlight the hugely important work undertaken by Festival Medical Services as they head into the festival season in 2024. 

"Of course, everyone who goes to Glastonbury or Reading Festival, or any other of the many outdoor events they cover, plans to have a marvellous time and never need to see a doctor or a nurse, but life isn't always like that.

"And what is so wonderful is to know that if you do fall ill or have an accident, these great people are there to help you and give you an amazing standard of care – the same as you will receive in any hospital or surgery – just in the middle of a field – it's incredible.

"It worries me that not enough people know about them and what they do, and that's why I'm hoping this challenge will raise profile for them as well as money for the two charities they are currently supporting, Motivation and Humanity & Inclusion."   

FMS chair Nich Woolf said: "We are calling the event AAA for Annie's Assisted Ascent, but in the world of music festivals it stands for "Access All Areas", so we thought they mirrored each other nicely. 

"Annie already commands the respect and affection of people throughout our county from her time as Lord Lieutenant, but we think she will win even more admirers for taking on this dauntingly tough challenge – and rightly so. We are extremely fortunate to have her as our patron."  

To sponsor Annie, please go to https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/access-all-areas