A SPONSORED walk in memory of a Prestatyn woman who recently died has helped raise further funds for her children. 

More than £18,000 has been raised after the death of Clare Roberts.

Clare was mum to Dylan and Seren Thomas. She died aged 40 in late August after taking ill while working out in a gym.

A GoFundMe page set up to support her children has raised more than £16,000, while the Offa’s Dyke Path - trek taken on by Dale Milne and Todd Evans, who both knew Clare since their days at Prestatyn High School, has raised in excess of £2,500.

The 177-mile walking and camping trip passes through eight different counties, starting at Chepstow and going onto Prestatyn, passing through the Brecon Beacons National Park and three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Building surveyor Todd managed 62 miles before having to pull out at Hay-on-Wye for health reasons, while Dale, owner of DHM Construction, completed it on Thursday (September 9), finishing it within six-and-a-half days having set an initial aim of nine.
 

Rhyl Journal: Dale Milne (left) and Todd Evans at Offa's Dyke Path. Photo: Todd EvansDale Milne (left) and Todd Evans at Offa's Dyke Path. Photo: Todd Evans

Dale was greeted by Todd on his last step, as well as his friends and members of Clare’s family, at Beach Hut Café and Bar in Prestatyn, where a reception party was then held on Thursday evening.

Todd said: “I may not have completed it, but just seeing everyone’s support made it feel worthwhile. All I want out of this is just to raise as much money as possible for the children.

“I know it (Offa’s Dyke Path walk) is something Dale’s wanted to do so much for so long, and given we were doing it for Clare and her family, who we know really well, I got him to ping me his location every night.

“I said to him: ‘At any point, if it gets too bad and you can’t carry on, we’ll come down and get you, wherever you are.’

“It’s an amazing achievement. On the first two days, we got lost and did an extra nine miles, and there are countless times I spoke to him and he’d taken a wrong turn, so I’d hazard a guess he’d be touching 200 miles by the time he finished in six-and-a-half days. It’s a phenomenal feat.

“It takes a lot to dig in and continually walk more than 30 miles every day, carrying your kit up and down mountains. The first night, we weren’t even able to put our tents up because you couldn’t get a peg in the ground.

“When I was suffering with blood clots, I had to go to the doctor’s twice a week. I always saw Clare in there and she’d say things like: ‘Todd, you need to listen to them, do this and that.’ She had a heart of gold.

“We’re now going to liaise with Prestatyn Golf Club about arranging a charity golf day. The funds are going to Seren and Dylan, to help and protect them and make their life a little bit easier.”

Rhyl Journal: Todd greeting Dale on Thursday after completing the walk. Photo: Todd EvansTodd greeting Dale on Thursday after completing the walk. Photo: Todd Evans

Dale, who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro several years ago, admitted this was 'massively' harder, but having lost a parent as a child himself, he was spurred on by the importance of raising money for Clare's children.

He was also overwhelmed by the reception he received after completing the walk, which he admitted he didn't expect.

Dale added: “When there’s two of you doing it, and unfortunately, one is taken ill, all the pressure fell on me then, and I didn’t want to let anyone down.

“The only conversations I had were with a couple of farmers and fellow walkers. It was tremendously hard; I probably underestimated how hard it would be. Some days were just constantly up and down mountains.

“You start reflecting on what’s happened to Clare and the family, and you just put the pain you feel while you’re walking to the back of your mind.

“It’s absolutely phenomenal how people can come together for a great cause. It was nice to be a part of it, really.

“I knew Clare through friends, and every time I saw her, she was just a bubbly character. She was an outgoing, loveable person. It’s such a shame what’s happened, and just puts into context how life can just be cut short.

“I lost a parent young, so I know how hard it is and how much it can affect your life, so if I can do anything to help anybody, I would do.”

Readers can still donate to either the sponsored walk fundraiser by visiting: www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-for-clare, or the main GoFundMe page set up for Clare’s family at: www.gofundme.com/f/memorial-fund-for-the-family-of-clare-roberts.

Clare's funeral service will be held at the Denbighshire Memorial Park & Crematorium, St. Asaph, on Friday, September 17 at 12pm.

Donations, in lieu of flowers, will be gratefully received towards the Clare Roberts Memorial Fund.