Nine men have completed a gruelling 1,000-mile walk around Wales, raising funds for Prostate Cymru. They crossed the finish line at Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday, August 9, after 44 days of walking, and were joined on the final leg by Welsh rugby stars Alex Cuthbert, Josh Navidi, Rhys Priestland, Lloyd Williams, and Ellis Jenkins.
The Challenge
The team set off from Cardiff on June 27, walking roughly 23 miles a day to cover the entire circumference of Wales. Their final stretch ran from Rodney Parade to Cardiff Arms Park, where they were greeted by supporters and a male voice choir.
Alex Cuthbert, a Prostate Cymru ambassador who joined the core team for the final day, said: "The walk from Newport to Cardiff was very tough today. At the start, everyone was very jubilant, looking forward to it and you can tell the core team of nine wanted to get out there and set the pace."
Fundraising Goal
The walkers aim to raise £300,000 to fund six specialist nurses across Wales, providing personalised support and expert care for men facing prostate disease. So far, more than £200,000 has been raised.
Andy Thomas, Chair of Prostate Cymru, said: "With each step, we want to raise awareness, inspire men to get tested, and fund vital support for families affected by this disease. We're aiming to fund six specialist cancer nurses so we can improve patient outcomes and enhance the quality of life for men and their families across the nation."
Impact
One in eight men in Wales will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, and over 28,000 men are currently living with the disease. Thomas urged men to sign up for testing events, noting that early-stage prostate cancer often has no symptoms.
Cuthbert added: "We had a great reception as we came into Cardiff Arms Park and you could see the emotion on the guys' faces after 44 days of effort. You really do have to give them credit - it's been an unbelievable achievement, a lot of money raised and a lot of people here to celebrate and clap the guys in after such a long and tough challenge."
