Llanidloes Hiker Raising Funds for Local Mental Health Charity Rekindle

PRESS RELEASE:

Marc James, from Llanidloes, has set himself the mammoth challenge of completing a high-altitude trek of 850km across the Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean this summer.

The trek is broken down into 47 stages with each stage taking a day or so to complete, so in theory, it is expected to take around 50 days, accounting for some well-needed rest days!

Preparation for an event like this is key, so over the last month or so, those walking the hills around Llanidloes may have spotted a lone hiker plodding along with his walking poles, carrying a large ruck sack full of bags of lentils, rice and whatever else was handy in the cupboard to make up the weight!

Marc has chosen to complete the trek in aid of the local young people’s mental health charity, Rekindle. Rekindle is based in Newtown and provides much-needed mental health and wellbeing support to young people aged 16 to 25 years old, living in Mid Wales and the Shropshire borders. Rekindle offers a range of services that provide wrap-around support to young people as they navigate tumultuous transition from childhood to adulthood.  These include counselling, one-to-one wellbeing support (covering practical issues such as housing, employment, education, budgeting, debt, relationships, and future aspirations), and a welcoming weekly drop-in providing a range of group activities such as cooking, crafts, games, workshops, and trips out to go horse-riding or play sports.

Rekindle, founded in 1997 by two local families, relies solely on donations, community fundraising and charitable grants to be able to stay open. Service Delivery Manager, Lizzie Cockle, says “We are incredible grateful that Marc has chosen to raise funds for Rekindle whilst he embarks on this challenge of a lifetime. Our services are becoming more and more in demand, and we are dependent upon dedicated supporters like Marc to enable us to fund our service provision. We wish Marc all the best and will be closely following his challenge”.

Marc is hoping to raise £2025 for Rekindle. His fundraising page can be found here: Marc James is fundraising for Rekindle Ail-ddeffro. Please support him if you can!