A brave and inspirational man from Newport has announced that he will be walking an entire lap of the Isle of Wight King Charles III Coastal Path by himself in the height of winter in an effort to raise vital funds for Mindset Bros.
Chris Cowdrey, a self-employed landscaper, has planned to take on the 70-mile solo hike across some of the Island’s most difficult terrain beginning on 18th December in an event which he hopes will see £1000 raised for local charity, Mindset Bros.
Speaking to Island Echo on his mission, Chris said by his calculations the route will see him hike 70 miles over 3 days and 2 nights, with both nights being spent in a tent pitched somewhere along his route.
When asked whether the decision to complete the challenge in December was purposeful, Chris jokingly confirmed that it was done purposefully to make the challenge harder but explained the deeper meaning behind it.
He said:
“ Well, there is that.
“But I think in December it’s quite easy to forget the people that are struggling.
“Everyone’s prepping for Christmas, times with family, and things like that, and I think it’s that time of year where actually I’ve been in a situation where I’ve had the mental health crisis team come out to me Christmas Day, and there’s probably not many people sat at home thinking that that happens.
Article continues below this advertisement “I think doing it in December just represents that people struggle all year round, and it doesn’t, it doesn’t pause for Christmas or New Year’s, it’s still out there.”
Chris also runs Social Media accounts under the name ‘Cowdrey Family’ where he has gained an impressive following of over 150,000. It is on these accounts that he documents self-employed life, life as a single father as well as his mental-health journey where he encourages men to speak up- values very similar to those of Mindset Bros.
@cowdreyfamily My mind is made up, I won’t let my pain go to waste. Link to go fund me to support my chosen charity is in my bio @Mindset Bros #mentalhealth ♬ الصوت الأصلي – 𝑆𝐴𝐿𝐼𝑀❤️🩹🎵
Chris said that his journey will begin from the Floating Bridge Terminal in West Cowes and will end at the Terminal in East Cowes, completing a full lap of the Island’s coastline.
Speaking on what it means to be able to complete this challenge and what it means to be able to raise funds for Mindset Bros, Chris said:
“I mean, I’ve always struggled with mental health and especially, like the last few months I’ve been in quite a dark place.
“So if I can put myself through some physical pain in hopes to bring some hope and funds to a good charity, then it’s not gone to waste, has it?
“ They’ve changed our community, to be honest. You know, when they’re walking out with dozens of men, and they’re all talking and being vulnerable and open… that didn’t happen 10 years ago on the Island.
“ They really have changed the dynamics of men’s mental health and obviously so much more, the other stuff they do for the homeless people and all sorts of other aspects of charities that they do.
“So yeah, they’re a welcome part of the community.
Chris has said that he is willing to break bones over the course of his mission, quoting that he will be packing crutches:
“I’m ready for fractures and broken bones if need be. I’ve already planned I’ll take crutches with me.
“If I have to crawl…I’ll crawl.
“So yeah, I will make it over.”
Touching on the amount of money Chris aims to raise, he said anyone that can’t donate should consider these options:
“Follow them on their social platforms, you know, share the stories and things that they do and just be more involved, be more mindful of what they do because they’re doing good things, and they’re helping people.
“Our NHS is absolutely stretched, and, you know, there are plenty of people that have probably turned corners with Mindset Bros because they’ve struggled to get help elsewhere.”
Anyone wishing to donate and show Chris their support can do so here.
