Race to the Stones Challenge
On Saturday 13th July, a student counsellor from Willows Counselling and Training is undertaking a sponsored challenge to walk 50km of the Ridgeway as part of the Race to the Stones Ridgeline 50k event. Setting off from Wantage, the route follows Britain’s oldest road through chalk downland and ancient forests, finishing at the iconic Avebury Standing Stones.
Matt is taking on this impressive challenge in order to raise enough money to fund at least 60 counselling sessions so that people in the local community, needing expert therapeutic support, are not deprived of access, or disadvantaged, due to financial constraints. As a counselling student, Matt is aware of the transformative power of emotional support received through quality counselling. £25 funds one counselling session, so Matt is on a quest to raise £1500 to meet his target of 60 sessions.
The Impact:
With 1 in 4 people experiencing a mental health problem of some kind each year in England, there is an ever-growing need for quality counselling support. Established for over 30 years, Willows Counselling & Training continues to offer its services to meet the mental health needs of people in Swindon, Wiltshire and the West of England. Providing an affordable service for those where finances are limited, Willows’ team of highly qualified counsellors offer one-to-one counselling sessions for people facing mental health difficulties, with a specialism in counselling for trauma and abuse with its complex challenges. In an average week, Willows conducts around 60 counselling sessions, 85% of which are subsidised to some degree.
“This walk represents my own journey of overcoming adversity, embracing resilience and pushing through perceived limits. It’s also symbolic of the path many of us walk in life, especially those facing mental health struggles. The ups and down, represented by the elevation change, mirror the experience of counselling itself. I am genuinely grateful for any and all support received.” Matt (student counsellor)
Fundraising:
The Race to the Stones Ridgeline 50k challenge takes place on Saturday 13th July where temperature soared to 30 degrees. Members of the Willows team, as well as Matt’s family and fellow student counsellors were there to meet him at the finish line to celebrate his magnificent achievement.
Donations can be made through their Just Giving event page https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mattsracetothestones
£25 (£1 per 2km walked) funds one counselling session!