The “Just Walk and Talk” initiative, led by Wayne King, Service Manager at Chepstow Construction Equipment, has reached an extraordinary milestone, raising £20,000 for vital mental health charities. Far surpassing its original goal of £3,000, the effort highlighted the power of determination, teamwork, and community spirit, with every mile walked making a meaningful impact.
The 47-year-old father of two from Tiverton, embarked on an 80-mile journey from Tiverton to Chepstow over 8 days, towing an 80-kilogram weight on a trolley to symbolise the memory of a friend he lost to suicide.
Wayne reflected on the journey with both pride and gratitude. “The walk was tough, but I had great people around me and incredible support,” he shared. While the idea for the walk was his, Wayne was quick to credit the success to the contributions of others. “I couldn’t have achieved what I did without the relentless hard work of Ian Whiting, our Managing Director, and Dom Vitzum from Create Agency. They went above and beyond to ensure this campaign’s success.”
Ian Whiting made a significant donation on behalf of Chepstow Construction Equipment and reached out daily to customers to encourage their support. Ian also joined Wayne for a full day of walking, covering 10 miles and helping to pull the trolley. “Having Ian take time out of his schedule to walk and share the burden with me was one of the highlights,” Wayne said. “It meant so much that he gave up his time when he could have been focusing on running the business.”
Dom Vitzum played a crucial role by managing the media, creating posts, and editing content to spread the word. “Dom’s hours of effort, all done in his own time, were invaluable,” Wayne added. “This campaign wouldn’t have reached as many people without him.”
Family support also played a major role in the campaign’s success. Wayne’s father-in-law, “Big Dave,” took an unpaid week off work to drive the support vehicle, providing encouragement and logistical assistance every step of the way.
The funds raised was split between Andy’s Man Club, our charity, and the family of a friend Wayne lost in the summer, each receiving £6,861. “This cause is close to my heart, especially knowing the impact mental health struggles can have,” Wayne explained. “I can’t help but think if we’d done this sooner, maybe we could have helped my friend Stuart, who also worked in construction.”
Wayne is already looking ahead to 2025 with fresh ideas for further fundraising efforts. “I’ve got some radical plans in mind,” he said, “but I’ll need to get Ian and Dom back on board!”
The overwhelming success of “Just Walk and Talk” is a testament to the strength of collective effort and highlights the importance of supporting mental health initiatives. Through every step taken and every donation made, Wayne and his team have shown that together, real change is possible.