Shropshire councillor steps out for mental health charity

Councillor Clare Aspinall from Oswestry has signed up to take part in Trekfest 2019, a 50 kilometre walk across the Brecon Beacons that will include a tough venture to the summit of Pen Y Fan, the highest point in the spectacular countryside.

She is urging people to sponsor her in a bid to raise funds for Designs in Mind, the art based mental health charity that has a highly successful studio and shop in Oswestry town centre.

The Shropshire and town councillor, and a programme manager, will have just 10 hours to complete Trekfest on July 6.

"It sounds a long time but you have to keep up a fast pace and the route is a very tough one," she said.

She had been training in the countryside around Oswestry including on parts of the Shropshire Way and Offas Dyke.

But she says she is determined to raise as much as she can for the charity.

"I am just staggered by what Designs in Mind does for people, so much of it under the radar," she said.

"The Oswestry east ward is very large and there are many, many people who suffer from depression, loneliness and social isolation. "

The mother of two children, Councillor Aspinall said she too had suffered from mental health issues, as she "tried to keep up" with other mums and parenting.

She added: "What it so brilliant about Designs in Mind is that it is a safe place where no one is judging. And helping to produce something creative, something that is admired, or worn or used, gives a huge sense of self esteem.

"Designs in Mind is heavily over-subscribed for the workshops it runs. It would love to put on more but needs money to do so. And in the long term it would like to have its own building."

Anyone who would like to help with the fundraising can sponsor the councillor via: localgiving.org/fundraising/CouncillorTrekfest