The Big Bench2Bench Walk - Walking Wales. 

Over 260 miles, 25 community sports club and a whole LOAD of support. 

Community sports clubs save lives - sometimes in ways we don’t even see.

They create belonging. They give people purpose. They notice when someone doesn’t show up.

We're walking the length of Wales, from Holyhead Hotspur on Anglesey, to Sully Sports FC on the south coast. We'll pass through 25 community clubs, highlighting just how powerful grassroots sport can be — and making sure every club has free mental health resources to support the people who rely on it.

Walk. Fundraise. Share. - A mile a day. An hour. Or the whole journey.

Because too many people are sitting on the sidelines, struggling silently. And too many clubs don’t have the tools to support them. Prevention should live where people already show up.

💙 Why We’re Walking

Community sport builds confidence, identity and belonging.

But mental health support at the grassroots level is often reactive — only visible when a crisis hits. We’re changing that.

Every step funds free, practical mental health resources for clubs — giving coaches, volunteers and players the confidence to start conversations before things reach breaking point.

At each club we stop at, we'll be leaving with them: 

•  A bag of Speakeasy rugby balls or footballs. Each with our unique QR code on, with access to free Mental health resources, signposting and support. 
•  A Speakeasy bench or barrel, with our unique QR code and club's colours on it to make it feel part of the club, like we all should feel
•  Beer mats/coffee coasters and posters with our QR code on
•  Free access to online mental health support, training and education for all coaches, parents and senior players who access the club. 

The 8-Day Journey 

Each day carries a theme representing a particular item for the kit bag that is vital in improving men's mental health. 

Day 1, Saturday 24th April 2027 – The Starting Line

Theme: Self-Awareness 📍 Route: Holyhead Hotspur FC on Anglesey to Clwb Rygbi Bangor 📏 Distance: Approx 26miles

Day 2, Sunday 25th April 2027 – The Power of Community

Theme: Empathy📍 Route: Clwb Rygbi Bangor  to Nant Conwy RFC 📏 Distance: Approx 20 Miles

Day 3, Monday 26th April 2027 – Breaking the Silence

Theme: Challenge📍 Route: Nant Conwy RFC to Dolgellau RFC 📏 Distance: Approx 38 miles

Day 4 Tuesday 27th April 2027– Prevention Over Crisis

Theme: Vulnerability📍 Route: Dolgellau RFC to Aberystwyth RFC 📏 Distance: Approx 34 miles

Day 5 – Stronger Together

Theme: Curiosity📍 Route: Aberystwyth RFC to Clwb rygbi Llambed 📏 Distance: Approx 28miles

Day 6 – #8foramate

Theme: Fun📍 Route: Clwb rygbi Llambed to Carmarthen Quins RFC 📏 Distance: Approx 28miles

Day 7 – Connection

Theme: Fun📍 Route: Carmarthen Quins RFC to Trefelin FC 📏 Distance: Approx 36miles

Day 8 – The Final Bench

Theme: Fun📍 Route: Trefelin Boys & Girls Club FC to Sully Sports 📏 Distance: Approx 34miles

Total miles: Approx 260

Total clubs visited: 25 Community clubs

🚶 How to Get Involved

You don’t have to walk all six days. You can:

• Join for one stage

• Walk a mile

• Walk for an hour

• Individual Sponsors 

• Business sponsorship - (Sponsorship packages available 1st April 2026)

• Fundraise through your club

• Share the mission online and with friends and family. 

Every action helps us embed free mental health support into grassroots sport.

🎯 Our Goal

To make free mental health resources a standard part of every community sports club in the UK.

Not optional.Not postcode-dependent.Standard.

Walk with us. Fundraise with us. Share the mission.

Because nobody should have to struggle alone on the bench. 💙

Thank you all so much for your support.

Simon Clarke

Founder of Speakeasy Club