A MAN has walked through Conwy, Denbighshire, and Gwynedd as part of an approximately 10,500-mile-long walk in aid of a mental health charity.
James Lloyd, 29, walked the entire coastline of Britain, which took him 385 days, and he has raised more than £20,000 for the organisation “Mind” in doing so.
He started in his home of Deiniolen, near Llanberis, more than a year ago, before walking to Caernarfon, and joining the coastline from there.
Last week, he completed his trek, with North Wales marking the final stretch.
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James has also been growing his hair while walking the coastline, and he plans to soon cut it off and donate it to The Little Princess Trust, a charity providing free real-hair wigs to people up to the age of 24 who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or other conditions.
He said: “I've had anxiety and depression, which led to suicidal thoughts, so I used Mind as a resource, just to educate myself on mental health. They're just a fantastic resource.
“I've been growing it since I had suicidal thoughts about three years ago. As it's been growing, I've kind of been on a mental health journey.
“It (cutting his hair) seemed like a good way to end this chapter, and donating my hair is a great thing to do.
“The Point of Ayr is a really beautiful spot, at the lighthouse, but so is the whole of the North Wales coast, really.
“I liked walking around Llanfairfechan, and along the Rhyl coast. It's changed a lot, which was really nice to see.”
James, who both “wild camped” and stayed overnight with friends when he could during the walk, is leaving his fundraiser page open for the time being, so that people can still donate.
He is hoping to pursue a career as a writer.
You can donate at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/james-lloyd-mind-walk, and find out more information about his challenge at: www.facebook.com/p/James-Mind-Walk-Walking-the-Coast-of-Britain-for-Mind-100086861259090.
“I enjoyed it, but in places like Scotland, it was really hard and relentless at points,” he added.
“Storm Babet was starting as I was in Conwy, walking to Bangor. It was horrendous; the coastal path was underwater!
“Day after day, it really builds up. There was a little crowd waiting for me at the end, which was nice.”
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