Teams set to take on 1,000-mile challenge

THE FUW is taking part in one of its biggest walking challenges.

Next month the union will join teams from five nations to inspire rural communities to head to the countryside to help improve their mental health.

The challenge, #Run1000, is calling on people to sign up to be part of one of five teams – England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the rest of the world.

The competition, from January 1-31, will see each team run or walk 1,000 miles.

The nation that reaches the milestone first will be announced as the winner.

The idea is for individuals to contribute as many miles as they can during January, whether that be 1 or 100.

A private Strava group will record the collective running or walking distance.

Team captain for Wales is Emma Picton-Jones from mental health charity the DPJ Foundation.

The initiative will raise funds for charities impacted by the lack of fundraising events in 2020.

The £20 joining fee will be divided equally between five charities – The Farming Community, Embrace Farm, The Do More Agriculture Foundation, RSABI and DPJ Foundation.

FUW president Glyn Roberts said: “As the DPJ Foundation is our current charity, we want to help Wales win this race and of course also raise money for this tremendously important charity.

“It will also help us beat the January blues and think about our own mental health.

“This is a great way to get your daily exercises and members of staff have already signed up.

“We now encourage others in our rural communities to join this worthy cause, Covid-19 restrictions allowing.”

To get involved donate £20 via the event’s JustGiving page.

This will generate the Strava link for you to enter the group.

You must enter the Strava club for your miles to count.