Walker has a cross to bear
WALKING more than 200 miles across Wales’ mountainous terrain may be a challenge few of us would relish, but one man is doing just that with a 12-foot cross on his back.
Clive Cornish kicked off his incredible challenge by tackling Snowdon on Sunday Sep 13, and plans to scale Cadair Idris and Peny-Fan as part of the gruelling walk which will take him all the way back to his home city of Cardiff by Sunday, September 27.
Setting off from Holyhead last Monday morning, the 48-year-old from Ely in Cardiff had already travelled through Anglesey and had reached the mainland by Tuesday.
Clive, a member of Christian charity Counties, said he was carrying the cross to “encourage people to cope with their own hardship”, and is not seeking to raise any money.
A self-confessed former drug user, he served a six-year jail term for robbery before turning his life around after discovering Christianity in 1989.
He credits finding God with rescuing him from a life of alcohol, drugs, crime, violence and prison.
While walking through Bontnewydd near Caernarfon, he said: “A few people have been stopping me along the way, asking me why I’m doing this, but the support so far has been overwhelmingly positive.
“A lot of people tend to blame God for some of their failings, but my message is that unfortunate things often happen because of our own wrong decisions. At the end of the day though, God’s love conquers all.
“I scaled Snowdonia on Sunday and am fortunate enough to have a friend driving a support vehicle for me to sleep overnight, but generally I’m alone for most of the day.
“People have been so kind, offering me water, food and even cake. Some have been so generous.”
The 12ft x 6ft cross weighs 50 pounds,
To follow his journey online, visit threesixteen.org.uk.