Issued on behalf of Age Connects Cardiff & the Vale
Main Contact: Karen Fletcher – Marketing and Partnerships Manager
Tel: 02920 683 604 / Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For immediate release: Wednesday 1st October 2025 (International Day of Older Persons)
Charity Ambassador bursting with pride to complete Silk Run Challenge
Cardiff based businessman, Ryan Clemson, has successfully completed the ‘Great Silk Run’ challenge in aid of local charity, Age Connects Cardiff and the Vale. An overwhelmed and emotional Ryan shares in his video how he is “bursting with pride to have been able to support such a great cause and help in our mission to ensure no older person living in Cardiff or the Vale of Glamorgan is facing older age all alone”.
The Great Silk Run sees a select few participants covering a marathon a day over the course of a week across Tajikistan near Afghanistan to the border of Kyrgyzstan near China. Covering desert and mountain terrain, it is a gruelling mission albeit in breathtaking surroundings.
See video here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/166jJNeoi3/
Ryan, an Ambassador for local charity Age Connects, has committed to a whole host of fundraising activities since his beloved dad passed away back in February 2023. Ryan explains his passion to give back in memory of his late father was born when, during his grieving, a kind neighbour suggested: “A real way to keep your father’s legacy alive would be to do meaningful charity work”.
He says, “People tend to deal with grief in several ways and this can vary significantly from individual to individual. When Dad passed away there was a long week of reflection and I knew that I really wanted to do something that would keep my dad’s name at the forefront of people’s minds for as long as possible.”
Ryan’s first challenge linked his childhood home town of Llanidloes with his current home in Cardiff. Over the years, Ryan shares, “It wasn’t always the easiest to come back and visit as much as I would’ve liked to in my dad’s latter years. He would always be cheerful and happy when we called, however you know deep down there were some lonely times had and that, for a son or daughter, is quite difficult to think about. I then had the lightbulb moment while sat at home one weekend with Mum, ‘Why don’t I run from Llanidloes back to Cardiff?’”.
On the drizzly day of 14th June 2024, keen runner Ryan set off from Llanidloes at 6pm with the plan of reaching Pontcanna in Cardiff by 6pm on the 15th June. With his Mum and friends following in the car, Ryan ended the run to the tune Walk of Life — his dad’s funeral song — completing the challenge in 23 hours and 30 minutes and raising over £9,000.
Since this challenge, Ryan has kept to his word that he will continue to help ensure local older people are not facing loneliness and isolation. In May this year he was key in organising a Fundraising Gala Dinner in Cardiff for Age Connects which raised close to £10,000; another Gala Dinner is already booked for 16th May next year. He is also signing up as one of the charity’s vital volunteer befrienders.
Having now completed the momentous Great Silk Run challenge, Ryan’s fundraising page currently stands at over £7,000 and we would all love for his total to get close to £10,000. For a small charity like Age Connects Cardiff and the Vale this would make an almighty impact in our ability to help lonely and isolated older people in need. If you would like to show your support for Ryan and the work of Age Connects, please visit this link: Ryan Clemson is fundraising for Age Connects Cardiff and the Vale.
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Notes to the Editor
Age Connects Cardiff and the Vale is the operating title of Age Concern Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. Age Connects Cardiff and the Vale is an independent local charity that has been providing services for older people since 1974. A local and independently run charity which reaches out to older people in the region, many of whom live alone, are physically frail and live below the poverty line.
