Iolo Williams calls on walkers to join the Welsh 1000 walk

Welsh naturalist and TV presenter Iolo Williams, is calling on people across Wales to don their walking boots and join hundreds of others on Saturday 28th April in aid of the mental health charity Mind Cymru.

The Welsh 1000 walk is a communal walking event that uses the Welsh coastal path & Offa’s Dyke national trail. There are more than 70 walks for walkers of all fitness levels, from less than six miles to more than 30!

Iolo Williams, who backs the event, said “I am a great supporter of theWelsh1000walk. I originally got involved to highlight my late father’s struggle with dementia. Understanding & improving our mental health is crucial. Fresh air, exercise & meeting new people are key stimulators for our mental health. I urge people to sign up and raise vital funds for Mind.”

Sara Molesley: Director Mind Cymru “I am delighted theWelsh1000walk has chosen Mind Cymru as its charity for 2018. Getting outdoors and physically active in our beautiful country can have real benefits for people’s mental health and wellbeing. Wales has some of the best walking anywhere- we were the first country to have a path right round our coast- and this is a fantastic reminder. I’m grateful to everyone who takes part and raises money to help us campaign for better mental health services in Wales “

Volunteer organiser Ian Walker has his own mental health story. He said ‘It was a sunny November day in 2001 when I realised. I never got on the bus that day, instead I turned around and walked straight to the doctor’s surgery. For well over 18 months I had been battling with depression. Why? No idea. I had a successful career, no money worries, great friends, great social life and lived many of my dreams by travelling the world. Opening and admitting I had a fundamental mental health issue was one of the toughest challenges of my life. For many years I searched for the answer, consumed by seeking reasons of how this could happen to me. The truth is much simpler…it can happen to all of us. 16 years later, I continue to travel the world, have written 2 books and my zest for life is undimmed. I still live with depression and will probably for the rest of my life. The difference now, is I don’t get so fixated on… why me’?

Sarah Bouie shares her reasons for taking part ‘I am walking 16.9miles from Pandy to Monmouth in theWelsh1000walk 2018. My father suffered with mental health issues and I want to raise funds and awareness in his memory. As a young adult my father began suffering with mental illness and was sadly let down by mental health services in his area due to government cutbacks. Mind does such great work in supporting communities hit by these cuts and I don’t want others to fall victim of government cutbacks. I want more people to be able to access these services without feeling a burden to the health system. I have seen such great services in my area offered by Mind and want these to continue with the kind help of people’s donations. We need to see mental health services as a matter of life and death, as sadly without support, many will either take their own lives or, like my dad suffer a terrible episode leading to their death. Please donate and support me if you can’

19 Police Youth Volunteer units from all four Welsh Police Forces have joined theWelsh1000walk this year, and Inspector Jason Rees: South Wales Police said “Colleagues and Police Youth Volunteers from all four Welsh police forces are looking forward to supporting theWelsh1000walk in April 2018. It is vitally important that as officers and staff we take care of our mental health and wellbeing. Taking part in physical activity is a key component of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and as such we will play our part in ensuring this event is a success whilst assisting in raising funds for worthwhile causes.”

How can people sign-up for a walk? Visit www.thewelsh1000walk.com and click on the ‘walks’ page, where you will find a full list of walks and their locations. Each one is graded by length and difficulty. You can choose from being guided by an experienced volunteer leader, assemble your own team and guide yourselves or just walk as an individual. All funds raised, either through people signing up to a walk, raising sponsorship or donating directly will go to Mind. Email us at thewelsh1000walk@gmail.com

To donate please visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thewelsh-1000walk18

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