Family and friends take on challenge in memory of Nest
FAMILY and friends of a muchloved mother and grandmother from Capel Hendre near Ammanford are taking part in a 10-mile sponsored handbike and walking challenge in her memory after she passed away suddenly from a heart attack last October.
Nest Davies’s passing was a huge shock to her close-knit community.
Sunday, February 20, would have been her 67th birthday, so Nest’s friend and former colleague Lisa Pudner decided to celebrate her life, and support research into heart conditions by raising money for the British Heart Foundation.
Lisa, 56, from Llanelli, is a former Paralympian who has spina bifida and uses a wheelchair.
She is pictured above with Nest and Nest’s grandson Gwion.
Lisa said: “I first met Nest in 1986 when we worked together at the path lab reception in Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen.
“I had started the year before and we worked together until I left in 1990.
“We were best friends and she supported me when I was fundraising to get to the Sydney Paralympics in 2000.”
The friends shared many happy memories, and Lisa says she came up with the challenge to show how much her friend meant to her.
She added: “In 1989, she helped me organise a concert to fundraise for my racing wheelchair at the Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen. Wynne Evans and his brother sang there as part of the youth theatre and it was the start of my 12-year journey in Paralympic sport.”
Through the years they friends stayed in close contact, helping each other through life’s challenges, and Lisa says she last saw her friend at Folly Farm for a day out, just a month before she passed away.
Lisa added: “I want to raise as much money as possible in Nest’s memory, because she was a wonderful friend who supported me so much through the years.
“We’re doing this for the BHF because they fund research into heart conditions, and we want to stop other families and friends losing loved ones in the future.”
Lisa now works for Carmarthenshire Council as the Disability Sport Wales development officer for Carmarthenshire.
The challenge will see Lisa and Nest’s family and friends setting off at 10.30am and taking on a difficult 10-mile route from North Dock, Llanelli, to Burry Port, and back.
Lisa said: “It’s a tough route, with lots of uphill sections, so I’m training hard.”
Lisa will be using her handcycle, and will be joined by Nest’s son Rhydian, who has hired a handcycle to ride alongside her.
Lisa said: “I’ve known Rhydian since he was four years old, so it means a lot to have him on this challenge with me.”
Rhydian’s wife Alex and fouryear-old son Gwion are also taking part, along with Lisa’s sister Trudy, brother-in-law Duncan and friends, Nesta Davies, and Hayley Williams who will travel the route on foot, with their dogs.
Paul Russell, 68, was Nest’s partner, having met her in 1990.
Paul says Nest’s loss was devastating for everyone who knew her, adding: “Life can be unfair, but this was very cruel, and she will be sorely missed.”
“There is a long history of heart problems in our family, so we are very aware of the importance of continued research.”
Head of BHF Cymru, Adam Fletcher, said: “We are so grateful for Nest’s family and friends for supporting the BHF’s research at what will be a very emotional and challenging time for them all.”
The JustGiving fundraising page can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lisa-pudner