On Friday 15th October, two Newport women with experience of poor mental health will carry out a huge challenge by walking 58 miles from Newport to Swansea.
They will be stopping off at Rodney Parade the home of Dragons and Newport County, Cardiff City FC and finishing at Swansea City FC. The aim of the walk is to raise funds for Mental Health Football in Wales (MHFW) and -perhaps more importantly - to help raise awareness of poor mental health and suicide.
Bethan Shannon Clayton 26 and Claire Rogers 32, both of Newport, said “During lockdown we decided to walk from Newport to Swansea to raise vital funds for a charity that means so much to us. We have both been affected by mental ill health ourselves, and MHFW has helped us build friendships and get through some difficult times”.
Bethan and Claire added, “We lost a very close friend, Geraint, who took his own life in 2020 and raising funds for a charity that has set up a legacy fund in his name means the world. We couldn't think of anyone better to be doing this challenge with as each other, since we've been friends for many years and have been through many challenges together. We always have each other by our sides when it matters most and we’re going to need that friendship and support to complete this.”
Keri Harris, Project Manager for MHFW says “When Beth and Claire approached me with the initial idea I thought there was no way this could be done in the timeframe they wanted but I was impressed by their determination and the reasons for wanting to do it. I know for certain that these 2 will never give up!”
Keri also explained “Beth and Claire have thought it through completely, Newport Civil 3G have been a huge supporter of our work and recently hosted our 1st ever Mental Health Wellbeing tournament, Beth is a Newport County fan, Claire a Cardiff City fan and Geraint was a big Swansea City fan so the walk ticks all the boxes and it would be great if the clubs support them in some small way”.
