There’s something quietly powerful about putting one foot in front of the other – especially when each step is taken for someone else.
On Saturday 13th July, Matt, a student counsellor from Willows Counselling and Training, will be tackling the Race to the Stones Ridgeline 50k, a 50-kilometre challenge across one of Britain’s oldest and most storied tracks. The walk begins in Wantage and winds its way through open chalk downland and ancient wooded paths before finishing at the mystical Avebury Standing Stones.
Matt’s motivation isn’t simply to complete the distance. His goal is to raise £1,500 – the equivalent of 60 counselling sessions – to help fund therapy for individuals in the local community who otherwise may not be able to afford it.
“At £25 a session, I’m hoping every two kilometres I walk will represent a chance for someone to receive the support they need,” Matt explained. “This walk isn’t just a physical challenge. It’s symbolic of the journey so many people face in their own mental health struggles – ups, downs, and moments where you have to push through even when it’s hard.”
Willows Counselling and Training, based in Swindon, has been serving the mental health needs of people across Wiltshire and the West of England for more than 30 years. Offering counselling support for issues such as trauma and abuse, the organisation prides itself on providing affordable sessions for those in financial difficulty. On average, 85% of the sessions they offer are subsidised.
Matt, who is currently training to become a qualified counsellor, knows first-hand how important timely emotional support can be. “I’ve seen how counselling can help someone make sense of their pain and find a path forward. No one should be denied access because of money.”
Willows isn’t just a counselling service – it’s also a training hub, offering recognised programmes from entry-level all the way to postgraduate qualifications. As the demand for mental health services continues to rise – with one in four people in England experiencing a mental health issue each year – the work of places like Willows has never been more crucial.
Matt’s challenge is more than just a personal milestone. It’s a reminder that support doesn’t always come in grand gestures – sometimes, it comes in 50,000 measured steps, taken quietly on an ancient path.
Those wishing to support Matt’s fundraising effort can donate via his JustGiving page:
justgiving.com/campaign/mattsracetothestones
