From our walking group volunteer Barbara:

Back in 2021, I was personally saddened to hear of the death of John OReilly, a keen Rambler who had suffered with mental health issues for a number of years and who, at the onset of our third lockdown could take no more. I was saddened that I was unaware of the issues he endured, and to have been unable to do anything to help him. At his funeral his family asked that donations in lieu of flowers, were given to Mind in Kingston. I noticed that Minds activity programme did not include walking, and since June 2021, Ive run a weekly walk for Mind participants.

Ive since discovered that some Mind service users struggle to get access to psychiatric therapy with a wait of 6 months or more. This therapy is a key to climbing out of the depths of many mental health illnesses and theres insufficient access to it for Mind participants. A delay in access to therapy can mean descending deeper into a dark place or the beginnings of recovery. Life can be living daily with fear and despair or it can instead be living and growing, being a part of daily life and contributing to the universe. Id like to fundraise for counselling specifically and Mind in Kingston are in agreement that any funds raised are ring-fenced specifically for psychiatric counselling.

This walk is to be for anyone who wants to walk and help raise money for this worthy cause but will, I hope, be of particular interest to both users and supporters of Mind in Kingston and Kingston Ramblers.

I am hoping to raise £1500 which equates to 75 hours of therapy.

This Just Giving Page has been created and all the contributions will go to Mind in Kingston and these funds will only be used for counselling sessions.

About the walk

Starting time and meet up details:

Walk date: Friday 25th November 2022.

Walk start point: New Malden Station, beside the Beeline walkway

Walk meeting time: 10am for a 10.30am start

Walk finishing location: Kingston station

Walk distance: The whole walk is around 10 miles, but it is possible to walk part of the route and stop and get a bus or train. Or its possible to start at an opt out/opt in point and walk from there to the end.

The route: The walk will start at New Malden Station, walk along part of the Beeline beside the station, and walk through part of Malden golf club, through the subway under the A3 and through to Beverley Meads Recreation Ground. [3 MILES FIRST OPT OUT POINT, buses to Kingston and Raynes Park] walk through to Wimbledon Common along side the Beverley Brook, through to Robin Hood Gate and back across the A3 [6 MILES SECOND OPT OUT POINT, buses to Kingston, TOILETS] then into Richmond Park, and heading west towards Ham Gate and Ham. Cross the Richmond Road and into Ham Common [8 MILES THIRD OPT OUT POINT, buses to Kingston] and work our way through to the Thames Riverside and walk along the Thames back into Kingston finishing at Kingston Station.

Milage is estimated but will be confirmed

Would you like to join us on the walk? If you do choose to join us please ask those you know if they can support your efforts, explaining the importance of easy access to therapeutic counselling as soon as possible.

If you would like to participate in the walk sign up here: https://bit.ly/SignUpWalkwithMIK

For info email BarbaraAnnCrow@gmail.com or call 07811 265479

#fundraising #wellbeing #walk #mentalhealth #counselling