Welsh bereavement charity 2Wish is holding its final Wickets and Wheels event on the 9th and 10th July.
The charity is inviting participants from all over Wales to join its sponsored cycle from Queens College in Taunton to Miskin Cricket Club in aid of the organisation.
Rhian Mannings, founder of 2 Wish, said of the event: “It’s been ten years since we first took on this challenge and it’s been one of the true highlights of my journey with 2Wish. I met my late husband Paul while working at Queens College Taunton and he, an Old Queenian, returned for an Old Boys cricket match. So much of the charity was inspired by Paul and so it’s been a brilliant way to honour him.
“Over the years, almost £500,000 has been raised purely through our annual Wickets and Wheels cycle. Over 1,000 people have travelled from Taunton to Miskin and eaten tonnes of homemade flapjacks along the way!
“This year will be the last, as we really want to go out on a high after a decade. It’s built so many friendships and a community of likeminded people, and now it’s time for a new challenge.”
The event will finish at Miskin Cricket Club with a celebratory soiree and 20/20 game of cricket, where the 2 Wish team will face the Glamorgan Masters – a mix of past and present Glamorgan players.
2Wish was set up in 2012 by Rhian after she lost her one-year-old son George suddenly in an emergency unit in south Wales, followed just five days later by her husband Paul. 2Wish supports anyone affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a child or young person aged 25 and under.
It is an all-Wales charity providing immediate casework support, as well as ongoing aftercare services including counselling, alternative therapies, play therapy, support groups, residential weekend and monthly events.
2Wish works with every health board in Wales and is supported by every police force. There are now immediate support pathways in place in every Emergency Unit and Critical Care Unit. It also works with every coroner, mortuary, organ donation team and Wales Air Ambulance to make sure no family is missed. This support includes memory boxes, counselling and an immediate support pathway working with health boards and police forces in Wales.
Rhian added: “Wickets and Wheels has been so special because it is not a sportif, it’s a challenge for everyday people to train for and to achieve. It’s emotional with many of our families taking part and the event always starts with a moment of silence to remember our children.
“None of this would have been possible without Haydn Pryor from Trustmark Design and Print who offered to help with a small event in 2013 and is still here supporting! So many people have taken part and the event will be sorely missed. However, we like to think of new challenges to get as many people involved as possible so watch this space for the next event.”
