Paul Morgan is planning on walking 131 miles in May for mental health charity Shout
A MILITARY chef is aiming to walk from the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham to Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in three days in May to raise money for men’s mental health.
Paul Morgan, who is a head chef for the military in South Wales, is walking 131 miles to highlight issues he has personally struggled with.
“It’s a challenging walk but it’s one I must do,” he said.
Mr Morgan will set off at Wrexham and arrive in Cardiff three days later after walking along the Taff Trail, which starts in the Brecon Beacons. Two others were originally joining Mr Morgan on the walk but they needed to pull out.
“Three to four days is what I’m looking at. I’m looking at about 40 miles a day. I would like to finish on May 19 but, if not, I’ll definitely be finished on May 20 at the Principality in Cardiff,” Mr Morgan, of Rhoose, said.
The 47-year-old has suffered with depression for 20 years and wants to make men feel comfortable speaking about their emotions.
“We just want to get it out there so men can just open up and talk. You realise, even though you’re a man, it doesn’t matter – you can still just stand up and talk,” Mr Morgan said.
He continued: “Talk to each other and help each other. It gets it out off your chest, it gets it off your shoulders and I think having people out there listening to you does help.
“It’s good to talk and you can’t hide all of your problems away whether you’re male, female, teenager. It’s everyone.”
Walking from one sports venue to another is important to Mr Morgan who used to play both football and rugby.
He said: “When you’ve had a busy week in work or you’re not mentally in a good place, I find football or rugby is quite good to get you around people instead of just staying on your own and not doing anything. So, I think that releases a lot of tension. It helps.
“I think a lot more people could get into sports because I think you speak to new people, you’re watching something you enjoy and it takes away your troubles.”
Wrexham’s recent resurgence in the football world is also a reason why Mr Morgan chose the city as his starting place.
“I think with Wrexham being on the map now it just brings north and south Wales together,” he said.
While Mr Morgan’s main aim of the walk is raising awareness, he also wants to raise £5,000 for Shout, a free confidential support service for people struggling with their mental health.
“If I could just make a difference with the money that would be great.”
- Donate to Mr Morgan’s JustGiving fundraiser here
