A MONMOUTH man completed the Cardiff 10k earlier this month to raise money and awareness for a project which aims to help isolated and vulnerable people.

Bradley Watson, who works at Archenfield Insurance Management in Church Street, was one of the 8,000 people who completed the Cardiff 10k on Sunday 3rd September in aid of the Bridges Community Connections Befriending Scheme project, after signing up as a volunteer.

After being heavily involved with the scheme’s eventually unsuccessful Aviva Community Award bid, Bradley says he saw how important the project was to the beneficiaries using the services provided by the scheme. “I didn’t realise how much the effect of social isolation and loneliness had on elderly people until I saw first hand how volunteering to provide a bit of company and assistance, really helped,” he says.

“Despite not picking up the award, I was encouraged by the passion of the support team to become a volunteer myself along with my colleague Scott Davies.

“We both now spend a little time each week with a beneficiary at their homes, keeping them company and assisting where we can.

“I’ve seen the difference that it makes and it is very rewarding knowing that you’ve made someone’s day just by spending time with them. I would certainly encourage others to get involved in respect of volunteering for this great cause.”

Having done very little training for the 10k, and relying on his fitness as a keen hiker, Bradley undertook the challenge with a goal of finishing in 1.5 hours. In very wet conditions, with circa 8,000 other participants and lots of self motivation, he completed the course in one hour three minutes, proudly wearing a t-shirt with the Community Connections logo.