IF enthusiasm and determination are the key to pulling off a daunting personal challenge then Tony Pitt is assured of success in his plan to walk across Nicaragua. Tony, who attends Ross Baptist Church, has long been a supporter of the locally-based charity The Peace and Hope Trust, which was set up to help the people of Nicaragua after Hurricane Mitch devastated the country. He is a Director and Trustee of the charity which relies on international volunteer participation to implement a variety of projects from building schools, churches and clinics to running sewing programs, health clinics and renewable energy initiatives. Between 50 and 60 people from this area volunteer every year and Tony said their efforts have had a huge impact on this very poor country. He said: "Our belief is that we cannot change the world but we can change the world for someone." Shockingly Tony, who has never smoked, drinks little alcohol and was quite fit, had a massive heart attack in 2005 and nearly died. He believes his life was saved because Ross Ambulance Station was so close, the last thing he remembered before losing consciousness was hearing the siren approaching. He said: "It is due to the skill and dedication of the emergency and health services from paramedic to rehab that I survived and am alive today, fit and well." He is also very grateful for the help he had from the British Heart Foundation in helping him recover. Tony was inspired to take part in a sponsored walk when he started rehab and could hardly walk across the room, he met a fellow patient who was going to walk from Hereford to Birmingham. This encouraged Tony to think ahead and plan for a future challenge of his own. Then MP Peter Kilfoyle contacted the Peace and Hope Trust to see if they would help with the logistics of a sponsored walk he was hoping to complete across Nicaragua. Tony immediately decided that this would be his way of raising funds for the Peace and Hope Trust and the BHF. His walk in September will take him from one side of Nicaragua to the other, about 200 kilometres across mountain tracks and through jungles. He hopes to raise £3,200 for the Peace and Hope Trust as this will cover the cost of shipping out a container of goods that have been donated to furnish a school the charity has built. This is the first time anyone has organised a sponsored event for the Peace and Hope Trust and he hopes it will be a success, to sponsor Tony or to make a donation for either charity contact him on 01989 768181.
