FIVE FRIENDS will trek 31 miles across the Worcestershire Way from Bewdley to Malvern carrying an 85kg log to raise awareness of men’s mental health.
The feat, which will also raise funds for mental health charity Mind Worcestershire, will take place over the Easter bank holiday weekend – it will start at 7am on Good Friday, April 3, from the Dog Lane Car Park and finishing on Sunday, April 5 (time to be confirmed).
The group is made up of Alex Gibbs, from Peopleton, Jamie Willis, from Welland in Malvern, and brothers, Jack, from Worcester, and Ben Thompson, from Bewdley. They have all been friends for 20+ years with Jordan Powell, from Pershore, the youngest in the group, joining the friendship group in the last few years.
The carrying of the log is significant as the weight of it is the same as that of an average man and represents the ‘weight every man carries each day, often in silence’.
Alex came up with the idea and encouraged his four best mates to get involved.
He said: “We all have our own individual stories about struggling and going through difficult times, which have affected our mental health and there is too much stigma around talking about it.
“By carrying the log, the weight of an average man, we are trying to break down the stigma.
“Unfortunately, suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50 in the UK, so we want to show men it’s better to talk about problems and your feelings, when you are struggling.
“Sharing problems with friends is important, so we can carry the weight together, and we hope this encourages other men to open up and talk.”
Jordan added: “The log has been adapted throughout our training so we can distribute the weight fairly and make it more comfortable for carrying across the different terrains, steep paths and alongside the waters’ edge.
“It is going to be a challenge to complete the Worcestershire Way and we are currently walking twice a week, with and without the log, and taking advantage of our half-price membership, courtesy of Wychavon Leisure Centre so we can improve our fitness levels.”
As well as donations, the lads are looking for backing from local businesses and one of those signed up so far is Peopleton Press Cider, which has supported the lads since Alex came up with the idea and will be providing a refuelling drinks station during the weekend too.
Jack added: “We are extremely grateful for all the support we have received so far and the likes of Peopleton Press making our fundraising journey all the more easier.
“We hope people will make donations and come out and support us on the bank holiday weekend along the Worcestershire Way.”
The group has set itself a fundraising target of £1,500 and, as the Standard went to press, had already had £1,1000 pledged.
Visit justgiving.com/page/carryingtheweighttogetherwalkingtheworcestershireway for more and to donate.
