Mal Emerson founded the group Marauders Men’s Health in 2017 and it now has over 90 members ranging in age from 27 to 83. The group meets together to talk and walk with a series of rambles of varying lengths regularly organised.
Mr Emerson was injured in an industrial accident in the steel works in 1997 which left him with serious leg injuries and also PTSD.
Mal, who lives in Sandfields, said: “I started walking to build up my stamina and also improve my mental health. I began posting pictures taken during ,my walks online and other people asked if they could join and it snowballed from there.
“In 2017, I set up the organisation and we now have funding from the National Lottery to employ myself as a project worker and Lloyd Arnold as resilience worker. We have an office at the Dalton Road Community Centre.”
Mr Emerson has been selected by the National Lottery to have one of the People’s Benches named in his honour. This is part of a UK wide series of benches to mark the achievements of community champions like Mr Emerson. His bench is located in the sunken garden at Aberavon sea front.
Altaf said: “It was an honour to meet Mal and his group. Many of them have suffered accidents or are affected by various illnesses and some have also had to contend with mental health issues.
“Having this men’s health group is important because men are notoriously reticent about talking about their feelings, unlike women who usually have a support network of friends they confide in and also organisations like the WI where they can meet with others.
“Men also need their own self-help groups where they can go to chat with others and enjoy talking part in joint activities like walking.
“As a retired orthopaedic surgeon, I was able to talk to them about the importance of exercise both physically and also for mental well-being.”
Altaf spoke to the youngest member Michael Pursey who is 27 and is suffering from the after-effects of a major stroke. The oldest member is Graham Perry who is 83. The walks are graded by length and difficulty and there is something to suit all abilities.
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CAPTION: Dr Altaf Hussain, far right, stands next to members of the Marauders Men's Health Group sitting on the bench installed at Aberavon Beach to honour founder Mal Emerson, front row, second left.