Inspirational Maynard to walk length of UK in wellies

Former England Test cricketer Matt Maynard is to walk the length of the country in wellington boots all in aid of two charities close to his heart.

In October this year, the Glamorgan coach will take on the epic challenge from Land’s End to John O’Groats (LEJOG), a total of 1,189 miles, to raise much needed funds for the Professional Cricketers’ Trust and Help for Heroes.

Although Maynard may have spent a career trying to avoid being dismissed LBW, this time he is embracing it: By completing LEJOG By Wellies or LBW.

This will be Maynard’s second ‘Wellyman’ walk, having previously travelled from Cardiff to Colwyn Bay for the Tom Maynard Trust, set up following the tragic death of his son in 2012.

Maynard hopes to be joined by cricketing figures along the route and would also welcome the company of other walkers who are simply keen to offer their support and encouragement.

The Professional Cricketers’ Trust is a registered charity created to support the health and well-being of PCA members and their immediate families for the whole of their lives. The assistance we provide includes: medical advice, provision of specialist equipment, funding operations and providing support for health and wellbeing issues.

Help for Heroes champions the Armed Forces community and helps them live well after service. The charity helps them, and their families, to recover and get on with their lives. It has already supported more than 27,000 people and won’t stop until every veteran gets the support they deserve.

Glamorgan coach, Matt Maynard, said: “The Professional Cricketers’ Trust is a charity that is very close to my heart. Following Tom’s death in 2012, my family and I had counselling provided by the Trust. Talking to someone about the situation was very beneficial, I still have dark days but knowing the Trust is there if I need it is a great comfort.

“From when I first became aware of the Help for Heroes charity, when it was launched 15 years ago, it was difficult to comprehend the amount of money they needed to raise each year – it’s a phenomenal amount. I thought if I could potentially play any small part in that, I’d like to.

“We will be updating details of the walk on various social media platforms, so, if people want to join me, they can choose where and when.

“I did a Wellyman walk to get a legacy for my son, Tom. When we decided we’d close the charity down after 10 years, I just wanted something for my boy that was tangible.

“Because of the generous support I received on that first walk we’ve been able to install a dedicated and caged-off safe family net area at Sophia Gardens and ‘Tom’s Hut’, a small pavilion at St Fagans Cricket Club. I’m absolutely delighted by that.

“But I thought Help for Heroes are special; I have to do something special, too. I couldn’t think of anything that would be harder for me to do personally, than to walk the length of the country in wellies, so that’s how it came about; to support what I think is an amazing charity.”

Help for Heroes’ Area Fundraising Manager, Rhys Edwards, said: “This is a fabulous and generous gesture from Matt. Not only is it a huge physical challenge, even for somebody as fit as Matt, but he’s giving up five weeks of his time to complete it. We are immensely grateful to him and are sure our supporters and more will back him in this worthwhile odyssey.”

Professional Cricketers’ Trust Director, Ian Thomas, said: “We’re very grateful to Matt for doing this challenge to raise money for the Trust. It’s also great to see Help for Heroes, an extremely worthy charity, benefit from Matt’s generosity too.

“As someone that has received help from the Trust in the past, Matt knows the important work that we do. The money raised from this challenge will help us support many more cases in the future.”

To support Matthew Maynard’s Wellyman Walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats, visit justgiving.com/campaign/MattWellymanWalk.