Newports Mens Mental Health group in honour of Lee Higgins

In June 2024 I and many people in Newport lost a great friend. Lee Higgins "Lilly" was loved by many and he truly touched peoples lives in a number of ways. His laughter, his jokes, his ability to drink pints in under 1 second and the love he showed everyone will be forever missed. Even writing these words it is truly painful and emotional, but i know his strength is within me to push myself to be a better dad, husband, son, friend and human.

It hurts to think that in those final moments Lee may have felt lost, he may have felt free, he might just have needed to talk to someone. We will never know, but one thing i do know is that mens mental health is so important. As men we do not talk enough, we hide behind bravado and call it banter. We have all heard the saying "its ok not to be ok" and "even boys cry" but its true, we are all built the same. I am a strong believer that asking for help and support is a strength not a weakness. I am blessed with so many great friends that i can go and talk to, they know who they are. But so many men do not have this opportunity.

This is why in honour of Lee i am raising money to support a great cause that Adam Cueto and Junior Borg have set up in Newport to bring men together to share, stories, jokes, memories, struggles, build relationships and just be men. They meet on Saturday mornings from 9.30am-11.15am [monthly] at the Pill Harriers Sports club NP20 2LB feel free to reach out to Adam Cueto, Junior Borg and Pill Harriers via facebook.

What is the Challenge: Walking.... well that doesn't sound difficult, however the challenge will be to complete the 177miles [285km] Offa's Dyke path in 7 days, approx 90hours of walking, over 50 hill tops, visiting multiple towns and villages. I will be joined on this walk with my walking buddy, friend and work colleague Michael Parry-Jones, who will also be raising money for a cause close to his heart. We will be wild camping along the way, so that means we need to carry, tents, sleeping bags, food, clothing, electrical items you name it we probably will be taking it.

Key Dates:

Start Date - Wednesday 16th April 2025

End Date - Tuesday 22nd April 2025

Day 1 - Prestatyn to Wernog = 24.8miles [40km]

Day 2 - Wernog to Tyn-Y-Coed = 29.3miles [47.08km]

Day 3 - Tyn-Y-Coed to Brompton Bridge = 29.3miles [47.8km]

Day 4 - Brompton Bridge to Penoffa = 21.4miles [34.48km]

Day 5 - Penoffa - Hay on Wye = 21.2miles [34.27km]

Day 6 - Hay on Wye - Monmouth = 29.4miles [47.32km]

Day 7 - Monmouth - Sedbury = 22.4miles [36.80km]

Why raise £885: For every mile i walk if £5 can be donated to the great work the lads do this would be outstanding. Of course i want to surpass that figure, as the more funds raised the more future sessions can be supported.

The Offa's Dyke in detail:

Offa's Dyke path Length - 177 miles [285km] from North to South Wales [Prestatyn to Sedbury/Chepstow]

Border crossings [Wales to England] - 20 times

Stiles climbed - over 250

Counties covered - Offa's Dyke weaves through 8 counties

Average time to complete - The Offa's Dyke Path usually takes about two weeks to complete

Overall height gained - over 29,000ft same height as everest

I wont bore you all with the History so you can read that yourself - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offa%27s_Dyke

Please feel free to join in our journey via my instagram page: nathan.davies1980

Live updates will be shared via instagram during the challenge.

If anyone wants to join us at any stage reach out and DM me via instagram. We will have several check points planned for people to walk with us along the way.

In under 24 hours you have all enabled me to reach my £5 per mile [177 miles = £885] target. I am blown away by how supportive and how generous everyone has been. Because its only taken 24 hours to hit the goal, I am now going to double my original target and set a £10 per mile target making the goal £1770 for Adam Cueto and Junior Borg to carry on the great work that they do. Increasing the target goal is what Lee would have said, go big or go home... when i start this walk i will be thinking of Lee, my family, friends and all the donations but mainly my warm bed at home.

So please keep sharing, please keep supporting, every donation helps.