Men and Mountains walking group to raise vital funds to be King of the Castle at Swansea art trail

Men and Mountains walking group to raise vital funds to be King of the Castle at Swansea art trail

A men’s community walking group with 400 members across Wales and England, has pledged to support the Wales Air Ambulance and be part of the Charity’s Castles in the Sky art trail this summer.  

Men and Mountains have committed to supporting the Wales Air Ambulance as its Charity of the Year, and are encouraging its community of men to donate £5 for every monthly walk as well as fundraising for the Charity.  

In return, the community group, which promotes men’s mental health through coming together to take on 8 to10 mile mountain walks alongside other likeminded men from a variety of social and working backgrounds, will have its name on a colourful, individually designed castle.  

Dan Stanley, founder of Men and Mountains, said the Wales Air Ambulance was a Charity that was close to his heart after his father in law suffered a cardiac arrest and required the service. 

Sadly, the crew could not revive him but his family are indebted to the crews that helped as well as the Charity’s aftercare service. 

Dan said: “Despite everyone’s best efforts they were unable to revive him, but I recognised the importance of such a necessary service right across Wales. Ever since, every time I see an air ambulance in the sky, it really brings me back to reality. We don’t know what is around the corner and just how importance fundraising is for such a lifesaving service.   

As a group of men who climb mountains, Dan is also aware of the possibilities of needing the Wales Air Ambulance should anything happen while on a trek. 

He said: “In November we had a chap who took a fall and ended up having a triple fracture in his heel bone. On the mountains anything could happen that we may need the Wales Air Ambulance.” 

Dan said he hopes by getting involved with the Castles in the Sky event, it will not only help support a community family event, but also raise the group’s profile as well as raising much needed funds for the Wales Air Ambulance Charity.  

He said: “We are hoping our members will take part in the artistic trail along with friends and family. Perhaps we may even have a Men and Mountain’s Daddy’s day out to see all the castles around the city.” 

Men and Mountains is always looking for new members to join the community. You don’t have to be a pro athlete to join Men and Mountains, but you do need to be reasonably fit; have walking boots and a waterproof jacket.  

Once a month, members come together to walk, talk, and connect as they journey through the beautiful Brecon Beacons in South Wales. It gives men the opportunity to escape the stresses of modern living, slow life down and form friendships while impressed in nature.  

To learn more about Men and Mountains, visit https://www.better-men.uk/men-and-mountains