Bhupinder Sandhu Completes 270km Walk from London to Cardiff for Mental Health

After seven demanding days and more than 270 kilometres on foot, Bhupinder Sandhu has completed his remarkable walk from London to Cardiff, raising both funds and awareness for Mind, the mental health charity that supports thousands across the UK.

Setting off at dawn on 19 October from Parliament Square, Bhupinder began under grey skies and steady rain. What followed was a week of endurance, resilience, and human connection — over 337,000 steps that carried not just one man, but a message: mental health matters.

Picture credit: Bhupinder Sandhu

“Everything went really well as planned, other than the weather,” he said with a smile. “We had loads of engagement, especially during the lunch breaks when we stopped at country pubs. People there were relaxed and open — we had meaningful conversations about mental health, about life. That’s what these walks are really about.”

Across the route, Bhupinder – a a mindfulness coach from Kent, found that rural communities were often more open to discussion. “After Swindon, life just felt more chilled out,” he reflected. “People wanted to talk. Some didn’t even know what mental health really means — they’d say, ‘Oh good,’ when I told them what I was walking for, but when you ask, ‘Do you know what mental health is?’ you realise there’s still a lot of awareness work to do.”

The first two days were relentless, with no breaks as Bhupinder pushed to cover as much distance as possible. But as the journey went on, he began stopping for lunch in “nice old country pubs,” sharing food, laughter, and conversations that made the miles more meaningful.

“For me, even having one meaningful conversation is worth the whole walk,” he said. “It’s not about changing the whole planet — if we can make a difference to just a few people’s lives, that’s more than enough.”

Picture credit: Bhupinder Sandhu

The final leg, from Newport to Cardiff, proved especially inspiring. Wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with ‘Every Step for Mental Health Awareness’, Bhupinder drew attention and support from passers-by.

“So many people stopped me to ask what I was doing,” he said. “They were really supportive — saying things like ‘yes, we need more of that,’ especially for the young kids.”

Yet Bhupinder also noticed the difficulty of engaging younger generations in conversations about mental health.

“It’s hard to talk to young people — they’re so glued to their phones,” he explained. “I’d be talking to parents and their two kids would just have their heads down, not even acknowledging you. Older people, anyone over 35, they’ll say hello, they’ll nod, but with the young ones — nothing. That’s worrying.”

Bhupinder believes that social media and digital dependency are deepening mental health challenges.

“We need to be more aware of our surroundings,” he said. “Life is not about social media — it should be one part of life, not the whole thing. If we turned off the internet for a day, many people would be lost. We need breaks, we need balance.”

When Bhupinder finally arrived at Cardiff Castle on 25 October, the rain had lifted. The finish was quiet but filled with meaning. His week-long walk had become a journey of awareness, compassion, and connection — a reminder that mental health, like the road itself, is something we all travel one step at a time.

Picture credit: Bhupinder Sandhu

“These walks are about talking to people and making them aware,” he said. “Mental health isn’t a destination — it’s a journey. Some days are bright; many are not. But with awareness, kindness, and community, we can walk through it together.”

And he’s not finished yet. Bhupinder’s next challenge is already planned — a 26-hour nonstop walk through St James’s Park and Hyde Park, starting on 26 December and finishing on 27 December.

“It’ll be 26 hours without a break,” he said. “It’s another way to keep the message alive — every step for mental health awareness.”