TRIO TAKE THE LONG ROAD FOR CASH
DRIVING down the whole A470 can be time-consuming – but spare a thought for these three men who walked the length of the main road for charity. Richard Morgan, 39, from Builth, Michael Ward, 34, a plasterer from Leominster, and Rory Evans, 32, from Builth, who works at County Hall in Powys, took part in the challenge to raise as much money as they can for Sands, a charity that supports parents and families through stillbirth and neonatal death.
The trio took part in the trek to help a friend and hoped their endeavours would raise funds for a new bereavement suite.
Organiser Richard, normally working as a coach driver, said: “One of our mutual friends runs the local Powys Sands. As a community we’ve all been involved in it on and off. They put an appeal about building a ‘Forget me not’ bereavement suite in Hereford Hospital.
“These rooms will give families time and space to spend time with their baby immediately after loss in a non clinical room in peace and quiet.”
Richard had been planning to take part in the challenge by walking the 186 miles along the A470 for a while but the appeal spurred him on to get the ball rolling.
Along with team-mates Michael and Rory, the trio set off on the trek from Llandudno to Cardiff, starting on March 23 and arriving in Cardiff a week later. But it wasn’t without its challenges.
Richard said: “I always had the idea about doing this but never did anything about it. So when I saw the appeal, I thought this would fit.
“It was quite hard. It took quite a toll on us, really. I got about 20 miles in a day and the pain would start and I would start getting tired.
“But the three of us supported each other through it.
“The weather wasn’t very kind to us in the last four days. Going over the Beacons soaked wasn’t much fun. But some of the scenery we got to see was stunning, particularly in north Wales.
“The experience of the three of us was a big challenge – it was quite amazing.”
During the challenge, the trio were joined by a team of volunteers and were given rooms to stay in overnight for free.
Richard said: “I would like to thank the supporters and locals who helped and those who gave us rooms. If it hadn’t have been for these people giving us rooms, it wouldn’t have happened.”
The group arrived in the Welsh capital on the Friday night at around 9.30pm.
“It was a massive relief,” Richard said. “I had my wife and dad there for me.
“The achievement of having done it was amazing. By the time we finished, we wanted it to be over. I’m still struggling with my knee a bit.”
The trio raised more than £2,000, which means building work can now start at the hospital.
Richard said: “I’m very humbled. People got involved and they’ve shown their appreciation for what we’ve done.
“If everything comes together, it should go over £3,000.
“People believed in us, that we could do it.
“£75,000 is needed for the suite but this will push them over the mark so they can start building.”
Despite the achievement, there’s nothing on the horizon yet for Richard.
“I’m not ruling anything out, but there’s nothing in the pipeline,” Richard said. “My wife has said I’m not doing anything else this year!”
To donate to the challenge, visit the online fundraising page here: https://www. justgiving.com/fundraising/ richard-morgan48