'Under The Bridge' sponsored walkers smash fundraising goal with Cromford/Langley Mill to Trent Lock walk

Members of the Under The Bridge project have taken part in 24-mile sponsored walk from Cromford in the Peak District to Trent Lock in Sawley.

The hope was to raise funds to continue the project and to raise awareness around men's mental health.  Participant, Ashley Kirk said that he had received a massive amount of help, thanks to the group, adding that he didn't think he would be alive today if not for the men that participate in the group and for Scott who runs it.

A JustGiving page has been set up to gather donations ahead of the walk, staged on 17th May, which offered two challenges, to complete the 24 miles along the full length of the Cromford and Erewash Canals, or 12 miles starting from Langley Mill and covering the entire Erewash Canal, beautiful, historic waterways described by organisers as representing more than a journey - a path to recovery, conversation and connection.

Every step taken helps to:

• Raise awareness about mental health challenges faced by men
• Fund crucial support and outreach activities
• Show that nobody has to walk alone

Speaking exclusively to Erewash Sound, Ashley Kirk said: "With thanks to Erewash Sound for the support in the run up to the Under The Bridge Sponsored Walk 2025, we absolutely smashed our fundraising goal and we’re all a bit worse for wear and sore in places I won’t go into detail about but we smashed the challenge too. 

"One thing that really stood out for us was some of the beautiful spots we saw in Erewash and which a lot of us who were born and bread here have never seen before, so it was wonderful to see and definitely gave us that boost we needed. 

"We bumped into so many lovely people too who were amazed we had walked from Cromford at 7am in the morning. 

"A lot of us had started the day at around 5am and we finished spot on 17:30 at Trent Lock. 

"Due to a bit of technical planning issues too we actually walked around 30 miles which had a bit of a knock on with timings but we’re all definitely proud we completed such a feat and it was our little way of giving an extra thank you for all the support we have received."

You can continue to donate using the link above.

What is Under the Bridge?
The Under the Bridge project is run by Bluetonic & Nottingham C.A.N and is a local men’s mental health project for men of all ages that explores the positive mental health impacts of spending time in blue spaces. Alongside water-based sports activities and music-making opportunities, the project brings males together as a way of promoting social confidence, peer support networks and creativity.

Free activities on our weekly scheduled includes wild swimming, cold water dips, well-being talks, poetry writing sessions, oil painting sessions, yoga, meditation, sound baths, group walks, choir sessions, special guest music performances, outdoor climbing. local trips, and residentials have been organised, which have included a camping residential to the Derbyshire Dales, a surfing residential to Scarborough with the Wave Project, a River Trent Canal Boat Ride with Fellows, Morton and Clayton and a Matlock field trip to the outdoor thermal pool.

If you are interested in joining the weekly Under the Bridge Project, which is delivered in the Erewash area - SIGN UP HERE