Man’s 70-mile trek for bereavement charity

A MAN from Aberdare plans to walk 70 miles in three days to raise money for charity he set up after both his dad and step-dad both passed away suddenly.

Mark Tudgay, 28, is hoping to make the trek from Aberdare to Amroth in August in memory of the pair. His walk will depart from the spot where dad Mike’s ashes were scattered to his favourite place.

Mark lost his dad Mike at the age of 57 after a heart attack. He said: “My father passed away in 2015. It changed my life forever. It’s not something you prepare for.”

Mark wanted to do something in his memory, so wanted to part in a challenge in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

But since he started planning for the walk, he was hit with the devastating news that step-dad Steve had also passed away on holiday.

Aged just 59, Mark’s step-dad Steve Simpson suffered a fatal stroke earlier this year while on holiday in Corfu.

Mark said: “My mum went to Corfu with her husband last month and he didn’t come home.”

Now Mark has set up his own charity, called What Now? which aims to support families left behind after the sudden death of a loved one.

As well as delivering packages containing tea, coffee and other essential supplies, the charity also wants to make leaflets containing details of relevant companies and procedures families will need to go through.

He said: “It’s something I thought about doing for a long time.

“It’s what I could have done with after my father just passed away.

“I want to do it in his name and his memory.

“We will provide coffee, tea – all the things you need but you don’t really want to leave the house to get.

“We will also be able to offer grief and bereavement counselling or just be there, on hand to make a cuppa and listen.”

But Mark needs some help in order to take part in his feat next month.

He needs somewhere to camp for two nights when he takes part in the challenge from August 11 to 13.

He added: “I also need help with supplies of food and water at where we’re going to be and someone to bring us home – because I’m not walking back!”

Anyone wanting to provide support can email whatnowcharity@ outlook.com or visit www.gofundme.com/ the-big-charity-walk-formike