Welshpool walk organiser says “we’ve helped over 250 gents”

A community group that has helped over 250 men deal with a range of mental and other life challenges hopes that tonight’s Welshpool walk will be the start of a fortnightly get together in the town.

The Walking Men of Mid Wales has welcomed over 250 men to their regular walks in Newtown since 2021, and hopes to reignite its Welshpool walk should it be well supported tonight (Tuesday).

The group welcomes men of all ages who may be “struggling in life for whatever reason in a safe non-judgemental environment”, and held a series of Welshpool walks back in 2022.

Founder, Andrew Coppin, created the group for heartbreaking personal reasons and it led to him being recognised at the Welsh Charity Awards in 2022 as Wales Volunteer of the Year. 

“The group was formed in 2021 when, sadly, four lads of various ages took their own lives in a six-month window, and I knew three of them,” said Andrew.

“Since then, the group has supported in excess of 250 gents struggling in life for whatever reason in a safe non-judgemental environment.”

The group walks in all weathers and tonight’s added incentive is a pre-walk gathering in the Inglenook from 6.30pm, with the walk to start around 7pm and taking up to an hour.

“If any gent is struggling for whatever reason, then get yourself down to the Inglenook cafe or just come down for a stroll,” said Andrew.