BRIDGES Community Centre held their “Walk 4 Bridges” sponsored walk, with the event attracting strong community support for the centre after it was temporarily closed due to the November flooding.

Despite wet winter conditions, walkers of all ages and abilities turned out to complete routes on Saturday January 31, on routes crossing from one to four local bridges, raising vital funds to support the Centre’s recovery and ongoing work in the community.

The event, organised by Bridges staff and volunteers, was designed to be inclusive and accessible, with participants choosing distances to suit their fitness levels.

Many walkers were joined by friends, family members, and colleagues, walked up to just under 10 miles on the Biblins route, creating a positive and supportive atmosphere throughout the day.

Ben Ford, Events and Marketing Manager at Bridges Community Centre, said: “After a really challenging few months, seeing 138 people turn up and walk in support of Bridges was genuinely moving.

“The walk wasn’t just about fundraising- it was about reminding ourselves and the wider community what Bridges means to people.”

Funds raised through sponsorship will contribute to refurbishment and recovery work following the flooding, as well as helping Bridges continue to deliver wellbeing and support services off-site while the building remains closed.

The Bridges team thanked everyone who took part, volunteered, sponsored the walkers or helped or spread the word.

Simon Jones, one of the volunteers on the walk, said: “It was a real good sense of community, from being there at the beginning, even at the end people brought tea and cake out for us at the finish.

“It was nice to be part of something.”

The strength of the community spirit was clear, with residents all coming together to support a well-used centre in Monmouth so it can be used once again.