Crickhowell’s Ruth Cornish is planning a year of fundraising challenges to celebrate turning 60.
The former Registered General Nurse, originally from Bristol, has set herself a target of completing six activities in aid of the North Gwent Cardiac Rehabilitation and Aftercare Charity.
“This local charity provides a weekly programme of ongoing Cardiac Rehab Exercise Classes for people who have cardiovascular conditions,” explains Ruth. “John, my husband, went to classes run by a similar charity in Lancashire following two cardiac events two years ago and those classes really helped him regain his fitness and confidence so he could get back to enjoying his twin passions: running and cycling.”
Pop-up Massage Day
Ruth, an experienced masseur, who runs the Crickhowell-based Rowan Massage service, will be kicking off her fundraising year with a “pop-up” Massage Day on Sunday 01 March 2026, from 10am-4pm at the Wellness Room on Standard Street in Crickhowell.
“I’ll be offering people the chance to enjoy a relaxing 30-minute massage in return for a donation to the Charity,” says Ruth. “I’m qualified in both deep tissue and Indian head massage, and attuned to Reiki, and I believe my clinical background in nursing supports my work as a massage therapist. My aim with any client is to provide healing massage at a pace and pressure to suit the individual.”
There are six slots available on the day, with bookings taken on a first-come, first-served basis. To book your massage, please call Ruth on 07861 684142 or DM her via her Rowan Massage Facebook page.
Diverse challenges
As well as the March Massage Day, Ruth aims to complete five additional and very diverse challenges in 2026, including:
- The Charity’s annual Potato Growing Challenge, which runs from March-July.
- Run-walking the South Wales Three Peaks Trial route (Blorenge, Sugarloaf and Skirrid) in late April or early May.
- Ebbw Vale’s Clayton Shorthouse Memorial Sprint Triathlon, on 30 August.
To follow Ruth’s progress and donate, please visit her Just Giving page.
