77-year-old braves zip wire to raise money for Welsh nursery

A daredevil grandmother completed a daunting zip wire challenge in Snowdonia to help raise money for the outdoor play area of a Welsh-speaking nursery.

Carys Thomas aged 77 won the zip wire challenge at a raffle at bingo and decided to do it to help raise money for the play area for Cylch Meithrin in Deiniolen, Gwynedd.

She said: “My daughter-in-law works at the nursery and we were talking about some local charities I could help. Then she mentioned the nursery and the plans for a play area so I decided I wanted to help them out.

“I took my three sons to the school over the road and my grandchildren went to the nursery when they were younger.”

The nursery previously had a bare concrete yard but with the help of community grants, donations plus Carys Thomas’s £1,500 sponsorship money, it now has safety flooring, a slide, wigwam and climbing frame, designed and manufactured by Creative Play.

The nursery, which cares for children aged two and a half to four years old, has also separately purchased metal fencing, a shed and sandpit to complete their new outdoor space.

Carys, who was guest of honour at the opening of the nursery’s new play area, has lived in the village since 1963 and her four grandchildren all attended the nursery.

She said: “It makes it all worthwhile when you see the smiles on the kids’ faces. They were really enjoying themselves, playing and running around.

“The play area is fantastic. A lot of very good work has gone into. It’s just what the nursery needed.”

“The money I raised went a long way so I was really pleased to be able to help them. I’m delighted that the children have a play area to enjoy. It’s a very close community here and lots of people donated because they know me. I can’t thank them enough.”

Carys admitted she found it a daunting idea taking on the mile long zip wire suspended 700ft in the air, but she was never going to back out despite her three sons, Ceirion, Cemlyn and Carwyn having their doubts.

“When I was on the stand ready to go down I was very nervous then. But once it started I could have gone on to Anglesey. It was a fantastic experience but I don’t think I’d do it again. It was a once in a life time thing.

“It was such a thrill but it’s certainly not something I’d usually do. It was out of character! When I go on a plane I always sit in the middle because I can’t sit by the window and look out.

“My sons all came to watch and I think they were very surprised when I did it. Everybody was! One of my sons was ready to take over just in case I changed my mind. They didn’t believe I could do it but I showed them.”

Carys added that she won’t be doing any more thrill-seeking adventures. “No there won’t be any more”, she confirmed. “People keep saying you’ll be jumping out of a plane next. No thank you! I’m too old now. It’s back to a quiet life.”

Cylch Meithrin nursery has been fundraising for the new play area for the last couple of years and managed to secure grants from OneFamily and Tesco as well as a generous donation from local business owner Manny Shocker.

Nursery leader Dilwen Williams, said: “We’re so pleased with what Creative Play have done. The new play area has gone down really well with the children - every day they ask to go out and play.

“Learning through outdoor play is a big thing now. There isn’t much for the children in the village and it feels like we’ve got this for them and it will be there for evermore.

“It’s a complete transformation when you see what it was like before. We’re really thankful to Carys and everyone who has helped make this happen. We are a very close knit community and we do like to help each other. Now we have something for the future of the village.”