THE BIG BENCH2BENCH CAMPAIGN

Walking Wales. Cycling Wales. Looking after the boys.

£25,000 TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

We're raising £25,000 to build a new way for people to find the right mental health support for themselves or a mate.

Imagine scanning a QR code on your club's bench, a rugby ball, a beer mat or your reusable cup.

A few simple questions will help point you in the right direction.

Who's it for? You or someone you're worried about?

How are you feeling? What's going on?

What do you need? Some advice, a bit of guidance or support to take the next step?

The aim is to connect people with relevant resources and support that reflect their needs. No endless searching. No need to have all the answers. Just a starting point.

We're here to help people before they need help. Prevention first. And we want to put that support where people already feel they belong: their local sports club.

Your support will help us build this tool and get it into more clubs. Everyone who donates or takes part will also have the opportunity to be named on the tool, showing anyone looking for support that a whole community is standing behind them.

ONE CAMPAIGN. TWO CHALLENGES. ONE BIG TEAM.

We're taking the BIG Bench2Bench Campaign across Wales in April and May 2027.

Our walking team will cover more than 260 miles in eight days, visiting 25 community sports clubs. Our cycling team will follow the same north-to-south journey over three days.

Different challenges. Same mission.

If two legs aren't your thing, but two wheels are, come and join us! Whether you're walking, cycling, fundraising or cheering us on, there's a place for you.

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?

Because our sports clubs are about more than what's happening on the pitch.

They're about friendship, belonging, purpose and having people around you who notice when you're not quite yourself.

But too often, conversations about mental health happen when things have already reached crisis point.

We want to change that. We want looking after ourselves and our mates to be part of everyday club life. We want coaches, volunteers, players and supporters to feel more confident starting conversations and finding the right support.

A bench. A ball. A QR code. A conversation that could make a difference.

That's what we're working towards.

THE WALKING CHALLENGE

Eight days. 260+ miles. 25 community clubs.

Saturday 24 April – Saturday 1 May 2027

We're walking from Holyhead Hotspur FC on Anglesey to Sully Sports FC in South Wales.

Along the way, we'll visit clubs, meet the people who make them special and raise money to get free mental health resources into more sporting communities.

You don't have to walk the whole way. Join us for a day, a stage, a mile or an hour.

Get your mates involved. Get your club behind you. Make it your challenge.

THE CYCLING CHALLENGE

Three days. Two wheels. One shared mission.

Thursday 29 April – Saturday 1 May 2027

Prefer two wheels to two legs? This one's for you.

Our cycling team will take on the north-to-south journey, visiting clubs and backing the same mission as the walking team.

Three days in the saddle will take on the north-to-south journey, visiting clubs and backing the same mission as the walking team.

Three days in the saddle, plenty of miles and a big reason to get involved.

THE ROUTE

🚶 Walking team

• 24 April: Holyhead Hotspur FC → Clwb Rygbi Bangor

• 25 April: Clwb Rygbi Bangor → Nant Conwy RFC

• 26 April: Nant Conwy RFC → Dolgellau RFC

• 27 April: Dolgellau RFC → Aberystwyth RFC

• 28 April: Aberystwyth RFC → Clwb Rygbi Llambed

• 29 April: Clwb Rygbi Llambed → Carmarthen Quins RFC

• 30 April: Carmarthen Quins RFC → Trefelin Boys & Girls Club

• 1 May: Trefelin Boys & Girls Club → Sully Sports FC

🚴 Cycling team

• 29 April: Holyhead Hotspur FC → Bangor → Nant Conwy → Dolgellau

• 30 April: Dolgellau → Aberystwyth → Llambed → Carmarthen

• 1 May: Carmarthen → Trefelin → Sully Sports FC

Final cycling distances, timings and road routes will be confirmed once the route has been mapped.

ONE FINISH LINE. ONE BIG CLUBHOUSE CELEBRATION.

Saturday 1 May 2027 | Sully Sports FC

This is where we all come together.

Walkers, cyclists, mates, families, supporters and clubs — all meeting at Sully Sports FC to celebrate what we've achieved.

We're planning a proper clubhouse finish, with a DJ, barbecue, celebration drinks and plenty of time to recognise everyone who's played their part.

And hopefully, we'll be raising a glass to hitting our £25,000 target!

Because this isn't just about how far we've walked or how many miles we've cycled. It's about the people we've brought together, the conversations we've started and the difference we're working towards.

HOW DO YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

There's no one way to be part of this.

• Walk with us. A day, a stage, a mile or an hour.

• Ride with us. Take on the three-day cycling challenge.

• Fundraise or sponsor us. Every pound brings us closer to £25,000.

• Volunteer as a support driver or chief morale officer!

• Get your club involved. Bring your mates, teammates, colleagues or family along for the ride.

Even the price of a coffee or a match ticket can make a difference.

👉 CHOOSE YOUR CHALLENGE: Walk or cycle? 

Every mile matters. Every pound counts. Every mate matters.

We're here to use the power of sport to end male suicide.

Let's get out there, look after each other and show what our sporting communities can do when we pull together.

Walk with us. Ride with us. Back the mission.

💙 #lookaftertheboys

Simon Clarke

Founder, Speakeasy Club