THE former Lord Lieutenant of Somerset is is preparing to climb Glastonbury Tor in a wheelchair for charity.

Annie Maw 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.

She’s committed to scaling the landmark to do it in a specially-adapted chair on Saturday, May 4 in an event billed as AAA – standing for 'Annie’s Assisted Ascent'.

As well as raising money for Festival Medical Services (FMS), she hopes to inspire other wheelchair users who face challenges in everyday life.

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

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.”