Tuesday August 1st i will begin my 1047  mile adventure from my home in Tywyn, Wales.  I will walk South in a anti clockwise direction on the Wales Coastal path until i get to Chepstow. At this point i will then continue my journey on the Offas Dyke path which runs along the border of Wales and England I will head North 177 miles until i get to Prestatyn.  I will re join the Wales coastal path and continue around the perimiter of Wales until i reach my hometown. Bringing my journey around the coast of Wales to 1047 miles.

Being in the Army,  I will be attempting this challenge over my annual summer leave therefore  I aim to complete this challenge in 31 days, working out 35miles a day. I will be camping along the way, and estimate to be on my feet for up to 13 hours each day. 

If this challenge wasn't hard enough i will be making it a little tougher....currently a 13 year serving soldier in the Royal Engineers i always like to push myself that little bit harder so i will be carrying 60lb on my back for the duration of the challenge.

WHY?? 

In 2019 had some really tough times where I struggled to see any future in life. As painful as it to say there was plenty of times I didn’t see any future for myself. I bottled everything up and put on a brave face, until I had a really weak moment on 18th August 2019. I was driving from my home back to work (camp) where i nearly took myself and my dog off a road into a 200/30 ft drop. The only reason i am here today is my French Bulldog, Trigger. I looked at him and told him I was sorry, he looked at me and tilted his head. Instantly realising that I couldn't bring any harm to him, I pulled out of the corner in time.

I would love to be able to adopt / foster dogs and give them a second chance in life but due to work that just isn't possible. So Since then i have raised money for animal charities which will allow them to continue the work i wish i could do. 

This year i am raising money for Hope Rescue. This charity means a great deal to me as it is situated in a area of Wales where i spent a lot of my childhood, and the name of the charity says it all. "Hope Rescue"  We all need hope and no matter who we are at some point we need rescuing.

WHY 60LB? 

We all carry burdens. Every day. Whether that be for all to see or within our own lives, but we all carry burdens, 60 Males take their own lives EVERY HOUR!! That is a stat that must be reduced to 0.

My 60lb that i will carry every day will be my burden. but it will be for all to see, every day 60lb will represent someone that has took their own life and it will be a reminder that we can all have burdens, but we can get through them if we talk.

THE CHARITY'S ITSELF..

Hope Rescue's mission is to; reduce the number of dogs destroyed in the U.K. every year by providing a foster home, kennel space or rescue placement for dogs in crisis situations and; reduce the number of dogs, entering the animal welfare system through campaigning for change; education and the promotion of responsible ownership; and the provision of support to owners to help them keep their pets and; promote the therapeutic benefits of pet ownership and interaction with dogs.

Without the  funding, and volunteers these innocent dogs, would not get a second chance of life, they would be left on the streets to fend for themselves or they would be destroyed.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, please share it and donate if you can. It really will make a difference 🐾💙

If you would like to follow the challenge daily, head over and follow the Instagram page: @carls_welsh_adventure