Cardiff Rugby community champion Lee Griffiths has completed an incredible 120km trek across the Sahara Desert to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s Society.

Lee, who was instrumental in establishing the Sport and Memory Café at Cardiff Arms Park, took on the gruelling desert trek following his own deeply personal experience of the disease. 

With his father living with Alzheimer’s, the challenge was much more than a test of physical endurance, providing another opportunity to make a positive difference to a cause close to his heart.

“Taking on the Sahara trek was a very personal challenge for me,” explained Lee.

“My dad lives with Alzheimer’s, and I wanted to do something positive to raise funds and awareness for the Alzheimer’s Society and support other families affected by dementia.

“Walking 120km across the desert was physically and mentally challenging, but an unforgettable experience. There were tough moments, but I kept reminding myself to take it one step at a time.

“Knowing I was doing it for my dad and everyone affected by dementia kept me going.”

Lee’s fundraising efforts build on his longstanding commitment to supporting people living with dementia and their families in the Cardiff community.

Having seen the positive impact of similar initiatives on his father, the Cardiff Rugby Season Member worked alongside Cardiff Rugby Community Foundation and Alzheimer’s Society to establish the Sport and Memory Café at the Arms Park.

The fortnightly sessions have since grown into a thriving community, providing a welcoming and supportive environment for people living with dementia, their loved ones and carers.

Through sporting activities, quizzes, music, reminiscence sessions and social opportunities, the café brings people together, helping to tackle isolation and create lasting friendships.

The initiative recently celebrated its second anniversary, with Lee particularly proud of the community it has created and the positive impact it continues to have.

“Through my work with Cardiff Rugby Foundation and the Alzheimer’s Society, I helped establish the Sports & Memory Café, which provides a welcoming space for people living with dementia and their carers,” he continued.

“Seeing the difference, it makes has reinforced just how important community support is.

“The café has become sustainable and continues to make a difference to people’s lives, which is something I’m particularly proud of.”

Having already made such a significant contribution closer to home, Lee set his sights on the Sahara, setting an initial fundraising target of £5,000.

Despite the demanding conditions and physical and mental challenges of trekking 120km through the desert, he successfully completed the challenge and surpassed his fundraising goal.

“I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who donated and supported me,” he added.

“I’m proud to have exceeded my original £5,000 fundraising target, and I hope the challenge has helped raise awareness as well as money for the Alzheimer’s Society.

“Cardiff Rugby and the Foundation have played an important part in my journey with the Sports & Memory Café, so it’s lovely to be able to connect that work with this challenge.”

Everyone at Cardiff Rugby congratulates Lee on his outstanding achievement and thanks him for his continued commitment to supporting people living with dementia and their families.

Find out more about the Sport and Memory Café and the work of Cardiff Rugby Community Foundation by clicking here, while you can donate to Lee’s fundraising efforts by hitting the button below!