Brewin Dolphin step forward as official sponsor

The Cardiff office of Brewin Dolphin has become an official sponsor of Walk on Wales, a charitable walk that will cover the entire 870-mile Welsh Coast Path.

The investment management firm has signed up to support the sponsored walk, which aims to raise £1 million for the Welsh Guards Afghanistan Appeal and Combat Stress to create a long-term legacy for soldiers and veterans in Wales.

Conceived by two Falklands veterans, Jan Koops and Dai Graham, both of whom saw at first hand the impact that active service has on the lives of soldiers and their families, the walk will start on 25 August 2013, when the first of 11 Walk on Wales relay teams will set off to walk the Welsh Coast Path.

Brewin Dolphin will sponsor the first leg of the walk which starts from the steps of the Senedd in Cardiff Bay and spans 46 miles to Chepstow.

Having been a former captain in the British Army, the cause is close to the heart of Brewin Dolphin’s divisional director, David Myrddin-Evans. He said: “As a former Guards Officer I have seen the terrible impact of active service on soldiers and their families so when the opportunity arose to sponsor Walk on Wales I immediately flagged it up to my team who were also happy to support the cause. This is a great mission for two very worthwhile charities and my team and I look forward to joining walkers on the first leg from Cardiff.”

Since the end of WWII, the Welsh Guards have lost 50 men killed and seen many seriously wounded in combat in places as far apart as Northern Ireland, the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan. These tragic deaths and the physical injuries are compounded by the unseen killer, post-traumatic stress disorder. This often does not manifest itself until ten or fifteen years and can lead to family break-up, loss of jobs, homelessness and ultimately and sadly all too often, suicide – a tragic end for servicemen who have given their all for society.

Co-Founder Jan Koops, said: “We are delighted that Brewin Dolphin has agreed to sponsor the first stage of the walk. It is a testament to the philosophy behind the walk that we are attracting sponsorship from many firms across Wales, and this announcement is the first of several we hope to make over the coming weeks. Paul Conlon, who will lead the first stage, is looking forward to Brewin Dolphin employees joining him and his team as they lead the first stage of this momentous walk.”

This latest agreement adds to Brewin Dolphin’s other sponsorship arrangements, which include the Cardiff Blues, the Wales Millennium Centre, Children in Wales and UWC Atlantic College, demonstrating the company’s commitment to supporting Wales-based organisations and charities.