Rhos-on-Sea woman's skydive for grandfather's charity

Jun 25 2009 by Richard Evans, North Wales Weekly News

Skydive

THE granddaughter of a man left blind when he was shot in the face has taken part in a sponsored sky dive in his honour.

Primary school teacher Gwen Roberts, 26, from Rhos-on-Sea jumped 10,000ft from an aeroplane. She decided to take the plunge to raise money for the Gwynedd Guide Dogs Association, a charity her grandfather Arthur Rowlands from Caernarfon is chairman of.

“I was a bit nervous going up but I’m into extreme sports and trying different things so it wasn’t too bad,” said Gwen.

“I’ve already raised around £600 but I’m still collecting so hopefully the total will be closer to £800 in the end.

“I decided to go ahead with it after reading a magazine on fundraising. My brother has suggested I do something I won’t enjoy as much next time!”

In 1961, Mr Rowlands, then aged 39, was shot in the face while working as a policeman in Machynlleth.

Although the incident left him totally blind, he has managed to live a full and active life.

After moving to Caernarfon in 1963, he worked as a voluntary switchboard operator at the police station in Maesincla.

He founded the Gwynedd Guide Dogs Association in the 1970s and has travelled around Wales giving talks to raise money for the charity.

“I knew my grandfather had done a lot for the Association and has himself had five guide dogs over the years,” added Gwen.

“I wanted to do it for him. I can remember when I was learning to walk I used to hold on to my grandfather’s guide dog for support.

“Guide dogs have been a big part of my life.”

Speaking about his granddaughter’s achievement, Mr Rowlands said: “I’m extremely proud of what she’s done. She has showed that she is ready to help and the fact that she was the one who offered means a lot to me.”