2wish provides immediate bereavement support for families, individuals and professionals who have suddenly and traumatically lost a child or young adult aged 25 years and under.

When a family loses a child or young adult, the effects are devastating for all who knew and loved them. It is important that support is available if and when required.

Families must know that they are not alone and that the feelings they are experiencing are often normal.

My brother was killed aged 19 just outside the Cardigan Eisteddfod in 1976. I was only 8 years old. Since my brother’s passing up until the age of 56, I have always had issues around sudden loss; I have known too many family members and close friends who have died suddenly and at very young ages. Over the years, this has weighed me down.

2wish gave me the chance to try and deal with this and to try to understand why I have always struggled with sudden loss. Through 10 free face-to-face counselling sessions, they helped me work through my grief and gave me the tools I needed to try and sort out my issues.

My family and I have always known that 2026 would be a particularly difficult year, as it marks 50 years since my brother passing away and especially because it coincided with the Eisteddfod returning to Cardigan for the first time in 50 years.

I knew I needed something positive to focus on throughout the year. I didn't want to find myself in the same place I was two years ago, so in September I signed up for Ironman Wales 2026. It gave me a goal to work towards and helped keep me focused during the tougher days.

Ultimately, for me, it was about getting through the year with a different focus. The Eisteddfod week has been a tough week mentally, but having Ironman Wales 2026 to train for has helped me keep moving forward.

I would like to say a huge thank you to my family, especially my cariad, Ruth, for your love, patience and understanding. Thank you also to Dave Coates at The Iron Chef Coaching for your support through the dark weeks. I'd also like to thank everyone at Bluestone Brewing, where I work, for putting up with me during what has been a difficult time.

Now that the Eisteddfod has passed, and with Ironman Wales 2026 fast approaching, I'd like to raise some much-needed money for a charity that means so much to me.

As a thank you for everything 2wish has done for me, I'm setting up a JustGiving page to support the incredible work they do. Every donation, no matter how small, will help them continue to support other families facing the unimaginable.

My aim was to get to the beach. The rest is in the hands of Ironman Tenby.