Housing Spotlight – The Big YMCA Walk!

A dedicated and determined team of residents and staff successfully completed an incredible journey, on foot, from YMCA Cardiff to Gordon Anstis House, Redditch, taking on a challenge that tested both mind and body.

What started in Cardiff ended in Redditch, but the impact of the BIG YMCA Walk will be felt long after the final steps were taken.

The 90+ mile walk was about much more than reaching the finish line. It was a powerful example of what can be achieved when people came together behind a shared purpose.

Together, the team raised just over £1,200 for our Housing & Support service, helping to ensure we can continue providing life-changing support to those who need it most. Every donation, message of encouragement and show of support helped carry the team on their journey. Perhaps most inspiring of all was the people behind the challenge. Residents and staff chose to step outside their comfort zones and take on something truly extraordinary for the benefit of YMCA. Their determination, courage and belief in the cause embodied everything that YMCA stands for: community, belonging and supporting one another to achieve more than we ever thought possible.

A very special mention should also go out to Michelle Lee and her partner Dave, for ensuring the walkers had a base camp ready set up at each camp site along the journey, complete with medical supplies, food, water and a warm, dry place to lay their heads after 7-8 hours of walking a day. They couldn’t have done it without her, and we are all grateful to her for dedicating so much time and energy to ensuring everyone’s safety and comfort.

A heartfelt thank you to The Balloon Bab for the fantastic decorations at Gordon Anstis House, and to Retail & Commercial Media (RCM) and Nxt-Gen for providing our branded high-vis vests. As well as keeping our walkers safe and visible throughout the journey, the QR code on the back even generated a donation along the way!