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Shelter Charity Walk 1968

from Mary Jones (now Evans)
 

In March 1968, a number of sixth form pupils of ABGS and AGGS undertook a sponsored walk from Aberdare to Cardiff in aid of Shelter, the charity for the homeless. The walk was organised largely by Roger Dillon who appears in the centre of the photograph shaking hands with Mr Warren. The other people are a sample of the walkers.
Their names are listed below the photograph.
 

Back Row: Ian Lewis, Geraint Griffiths, Clive Badham, Anthony Thomas, Martin Lloyd
Front Row: Margaret Evans, Margaret Jones, Jill Douglas, Mr Warren, Roger Dillon, Mary Jones, Margaret Ward
 

A larger group photograph appeared in The Aberdare Leader, and this cutting was found in the School archives

Because the group is so crowded, click here for a separate version of the photo to see
the names of those identified so far.
 

A transcript of The Leader report in the sidebar is as follows:
Pupils’ walk to Cardiff
£258 from sponsors
A WALK to Cardiff undertaken by some of the pupils of the Grammar Schools for boys and girls at Aberdare was such a well-sponsored affair that £258 14s. 3d. was raised for the National Campaign for the Homeless. Picture shows Roger Dillon of Penywaun, presenting the cheque to headmaster Mr. Jess Warren, who agreed to send it on to the Fund’s headquarters on behalf of these very public spirited and energetic boys and girls. Said Mr. Warren: “The headmistress of the Girls’ Grammar School, Mrs. Tydfil Thomas, and I, are very proud that the initiative in this venture was taken by the boys and girls themselves. It is quite obvious that their imagination was seized by the plight of the homeless, for the task they set themselves – walking all the way from Aberdare to Cardiff – was no light one.” Mr Warren described the response from the sponsors as “Magnificent and tremendous – well-deserved encouragement for these young people.”

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