AS IF DEREK Gibbons wasn’t already doing enough for the Powys community during the Covid-19 pandemic – he is now going to walk nearly 70 miles of it.

Derek, who is secretary at Ashfield Community Enterprise, a project based in Howey that grows food for local consumption while engaging with the community to stimulate local economic growth, is walking almost 70 miles over three days in April in order to raise funds for a new septic tank which is desperately needed by the hard-working community hub.

Derek will be starting out from Ashfield next Wednesday, April 7, along with office administrator Rebecca Evans. Over the course of three days the pair will walk from Howey to Llandrindod, Rhayader, Erwood, Builth Wells and back to Howey – a total of just over 67 miles.

Ashfield are a small, close-knit, industrious team that have seen demand for their services skyrocket since the start of lockdown.

What had tentatively begun as a low key meals on wheels service delivering a dozen meals to people in Llandrindod prior to the coronavirus pandemic, has now transformed completely. From small beginnings, Ashfield – who post mouth-watering new menus at the start of every week on their Facebook page – now deliver around 900 meals per week, and to all corners of Radnorshire, and even parts of Breconshire.

“We’ve delivered roughly around 18,000 meals to the Powys community since Covid started,” said Derek.

“We were delivering around 12 meals per week in Llandrindod prior to the pandemic, but there isn’t a dedicated Powys meals on wheels service and the service spread through word of mouth. We had Dyfed Powys Police and local district nurses contacting us saying people were in need of this type of service.

“Now we’re delivering 900 meals per week and going to Hay-on-Wye, Kington, New Radnor, Llanbister, the Elan Valley, as far as 35 miles away.”

Derek will be swapping his wheels for walking for the three-day fundraiser, but he has been clocking up some serious miles over the course of the last year – as he is the only local driver Ashfield have.

“We could do with some new drivers as it’s just me locally and I could do with a rest,” he joked.

Ashfield have partnered with the British Red Cross in Wales, who got in touch after hearing about their meals on wheels service when Covid hit. They have been sending voluntary drivers from Cardiff up to Howey for the last three months to give Derek a hand, but Ashfield are keen to recruit locally-based drivers too.

“We’re always looking for volunteer drivers. There’s no meals on wheels service in Powys anymore so it’s been overwhelming,” admitted Derek, who was recognised this week by outgoing High Sheriff of Powys, Rhian Duggan, who presented him with a High Sheriff Award.

Ashfield are in need of £7,000 for the new septic tank, with Derek and Rebecca’s fundraising up to just over £600 so far. You can help this incredible organisation continue to provide a valuable service to local people by donating to Derek and Rebecca’s walk by visiting the Ashfield Facebook page, email them at office@ashfieldce.org.uk or phone 01597 829689.