Maynard looks forward to Wellyman Walking

Matt Maynard has called upon the cricket family to get behind his Wellyman Walking challenge, which will be the Tom Maynard Trust’s last major fundraiser and contribute to a special legacy project at Sophia Gardens.

Glamorgan Head Coach and PCA member Maynard is aiming to walk from Cardiff, where his late son Tom was born in March 1989, to Colwyn Bay where he made his professional debut just over 18 years later.

The 11-day challenge will take in each of Wales’ three peaks (Pen y Fan [886m], Cadair Idris [893m] and Snowdon [1,085m]) and is called Wellyman Walking as Maynard will be traversing the entire route in wellington boots – though this is optional for other participants.

All money raised will go towards a special legacy project, as the Tom Maynard Trust (TMT) aims to wind down its fundraising activities in 2022 and beyond.

The charity is hoping to build a family practice facility at Sophia Gardens, where Tom spent many hours honing his skills whilst father Matt was out on the field representing Glamorgan.

It is not the first time the TMT has undertaken a physical fundraising challenge. The charity has previously joined forces with the Professional Cricketers’ Trust for three big bike rides, as well as the Three Peaks Challenge in 2019 which saw participants summit Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon over the course of three days.

The funds raised from those events were split between the Professional Cricketers’ Trust and the TMT, contributing to the latter’s £500,000 investment in the education of young sports people over the course of the last nine years.

The organisation’s work has focussed on three key areas: providing grants to young sports people to assist with their career development, teaming up with players’ associations including the PCA to educate young players and the founding of the Tom Maynard Academy which ran from 2014-18 to support emerging county cricket professionals.

As part of its work with the PCA, the TMT has supported initiatives including Rookie Camp, which brings together players who have recently signed their first professional contract for a day of educational sessions.

Matt Maynard looked forward to the Tom Maynard Trust’s last major fundraising challenge: “It will be 20-25 miles per day and it will be hard graft, but the Wellyman Walking challenge will be a fitting way to end fundraising at the Tom Maynard Trust and it will be a fitting legacy for Tom.

“We’ve had three very successful events with the Professional Cricketers’ Trust big bike rides and also the Three Peaks Challenge which have both brought in a lot of money for the Trust.

“This challenge is about getting out there and raising some funds so that we can have a fitting memorial in Tom’s name. Between the walk and our annual fundraising day at St Fagan’s Cricket Club, we’ll hopefully raise enough money to build that fitting tribute to Tom.

“People don’t have to wear wellies – that’s just me! But if anyone wants to join then they can come along for a leg of the walk. We do ask that people can fundraise £55 on the day which was Tom’s playing number at Surrey. People can either do that or they can visit the JustGiving page to donate.”

Reflecting on nine years of the Tom Maynard Trust, Maynard added: “As a family, it’s given us focus and meaning over the last nine years. Next year will be 10 years, and the charity has helped a number of individuals and organisations including the PCA.

“The generosity we’ve had over nine years has been incredible. We’ve given away over half a million pounds so we’re delighted with how the Trust has been supported, and this acts as a final fundraising effort for the charity before we start winding things down.”

PCA Director of Member Services Ian Thomas said: “After such an awful tragedy, the positive work that has come out of the Tom Maynard Trust over the last nine years has been nothing short of inspiring.

“Tom’s legacy has supported so many aspiring young cricketers and athletes through the work of the TMT. The PCA would like to thank the TMT for its continued support over the years, especially in helping emerging professionals at our annual Rookie Camp event.

“We wish Matt and the TMT all the very best for the Wellyman Walking challenge, and we would encourage all PCA members to get involved, whether by joining for a leg of the walk or by making a donation.”

Donate to Wellyman Walking or find out more about the Tom Maynard Trust.