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INTRODUCING THE BATH 5K MAP CREATED BY ANNIE LEGGE IN MEMORY OF HER NIECE CERYS

Bath resident Annie Legge, who has a passion for walking and hiking, has created a specialist 5k map of circular walks around the World Heritage City to honour and commemorate her niece Cerys who passed away earlier this year.

The Bath 5k Map is a collection of circular 5k walks in and around Bath for residents and visitors to engage with nature and community activities with a focus on improving mental health and overall wellbeing.

“I created this map as a charitable legacy following the death of my niece, Cerys, who took their own life earlier this year aged just 24. Cerys was a trans woman who felt she was not accepted in our society outside the loving circle of her own immediate family and friends. I felt I had to do something to honour her legacy and perhaps support others who find they also feel excluded or isolated in their communities.”

Annie has created the Bath 5k Map to encourage engagement with nature to support overall mental wellness, and to raise awareness of the mental health crisis amongst young people across the UK.

All profits from the sale of each map will support local charity partners Mentoring Plus and Off the Record BANES in memory of Cerys. The charities aim to help young people across the city feel safe, heard and hopeful for the future. These organisations support on LGBTQ+ issues for young people and parents.

“Off the Record (OTR) is delighted to be working in collaboration with the 5K Map project. Annie Legge’s idea of mapping 50 x 5k local walks in Bath & North East Somerset resonates with our focus on young people’s emotional health and wellbeing. These short walks are accessible for residents and visitors alike and a 5k walk is great for your physical and mental wellbeing. OTR is proud to be working alongside Mentoring Plus to promote this fantastic project and improve the lives of young people in BaNES”.

James Brown, Development Manager Off the Record B&NES

“Walking and spending time outdoors together is really important to our mentors and mentees. We love the idea of encouraging 5k walks for everyone’s wellbeing - and so grateful that Mentoring Plus’ work with young people facing difficulties is being funded by people buying this beautiful map.”

Ruth Keily, CEO Mentoring Plus

Launched recently, the Bath 5k Map seeks to build community through an initial collection of twenty 5k circular walks in and around Bath for residents and visitors to experience the benefits of outdoor exercise and foster a deeper connection with the city and community.

Annie said: “I’ve always loved walking and exploring in and around Bath – so few of us take the time to do that or perhaps find it difficult to do. Taking that time outdoors gives us all a ‘moment’ to pause, and be at one with nature as well as discovering hidden gems around us. In our very busy lives, it’s easy to ignore or take for granted wonderful things in our community.”

Delivered as both a physical map available at Bath-based stockists and online, more walks will be released by Annie. The vintage look has been designed by Ellie Shipman, an illustrator and community artist based in Bristol.

“I’m so grateful to Ellie for understanding the vision I had to create something positive in memory of Cerys and I’m thrilled with the look and design of the map. I hope this is the start of something bigger to support other young people who are struggling,” Annie said.

The Bath 5k Map was brought to life thanks to more than 130 supporters in a crowdfunding campaign and eight local business sponsors from across the city: