Turn the Garth Pink 26th September
Updated: Sep 25
Lighting the Path for Organ Donation Week
On Saturday, September 26th, the Garth will once again glow with a powerful purpose. Following the incredible success of our inaugural event last year, we are gathering for the second annual "Turn the Garth Pink" walk to mark NHS Organ Donation Week.
This is a walk for absolutely everyone. Whether you want to join us for a brisk stroll, a moment of reflection, or to walk in remembrance of a loved one, your presence matters.
Choose Your Starting Point
To make it easy for everyone to join, the walk will kick off from three different starting locations, convergence points that will lead us all together up the mountain:
The Carpenter’s Arms (Efail Isaf): Walks start from 6:00 pm. (Come early for the pre-walk entertainment!)
The Gwaelod y Garth Inn: Walks start from 6:00 pm.
The Green by the Lewis Arms (Pentyrch): Walks start from 6:15 pm.
The Main Event: 7:30 pm at the Trig Point
No matter which path you take, our journeys will converge at the top. We will all meet at the trig point on the Garth for 7:30 pm.
This is the moment we will stand together as one united community to create our visual masterpiece: a giant heart of pink lights on the mountain.
Bring Your Light: The Heart of Pink Lights
Everyone is asked to bring their own pink lights—whether that is a headtorch, a powerful flashlight, a glowstick, or simply your phone screen. If you only have white lights, don't worry! Pink filters will be available at all three pubs at the start of the walks so you can instantly transform your light.
Think of this collective heart at the trig point as a simple picture of teamwork. On our own in the dark, a single light doesn't show much. But when we stand together on the summit, our individual lights combine to make one massive, glowing heart. Organ donation works the exact same way. It takes a whole team of people—donors, families, and doctors—all doing their part to make a massive difference. We are stronger and brighter when we stand together.
Important Safety Note
Because we will be walking up the mountain as dusk turns to darkness, safety is our top priority.
All our marshals will be wearing pink high viz jackets and there will be St John Ambulance volunteers present. If you have a problem during the walk, you should let one of them know.
The Marshalls will be leading from the front and at the back and we ask that you stay within the group when walking up and back down. The route is along public roads and footpaths. The roads will not be closed and so you will need to be aware of passing traffic and remain vigilant. When off the road, the path is quite uneven and slippery and you should ensure that you have appropriate footwear, warm clothes, water and a torch. Depending on your fitness the walk could be strenuous, and you need to be confident that you can complete it before setting off.
Once we reach the trig point, we will meet the other groups walking from different starting points and when we are all together, we would like to attempt to make a large heart shape group of people all carrying pink lights. There will be a photographer and drone there to capture the event and we’ll give further instructions when we reach the top. Once this is completed, we will join back in our different groups and head back to the start point. There will be marshals carrying signs with the name of your group to help you locate the correct one.
If you are driving to a start point (Gwaelod-Y-Garth is not recommended), please park considerately.
Well-behaved dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead at all times.
Please also be aware that we will be using footage of the event for a short video which will be posted on social media sites.
Food, Music & Community at The Carpenter's Arms
We are thrilled to have a fantastic lineup of food and entertainment hosted at The Carpenter's Arms to bookend our evening:
5:15 pm: The incredible Llantrisant Male Voice Choir will be performing live to sing us off and send us on our way with powerful Welsh harmony.
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm: The Welsh Italian Pizza Company will be pitched up, serving delicious, fresh wood-fired pizzas before and after the walk.
9:00 pm onwards: Once we return from the Garth, join Huw M and friends for a brilliant live music singalong to celebrate the night's achievements.
Why We Walk: Honouring the Gift of Life
The vibrant pink lights illuminating our path carry a deep significance. They represent hope, renewal, and the extraordinary gift of life. We are walking to shine a bright, unmistakable spotlight on organ donation.
Most importantly, this event is a dedicated space to honour and remember the selfless donors who have given the ultimate gift, to support the families and friends who carry their legacy forward, and to recognize the incredible medical teams and individuals involved in every step of the organ donation journey.
Two Actions That Save Lives
We want this walk to inspire real, lasting change. You can make a difference today by taking two vital steps:
Pledge to Register: If you haven’t already, please take two minutes to register your decision online via the official NHS Organ Donation Register. [1]
Leave No Doubt: Most importantly, tell your family your wishes. Even if you are registered, your family will always be consulted before donation goes ahead. Sharing your decision with them now ensures your choices are known and respected. [1]
Explore Living Donation
Organ donation isn't just a legacy left behind; it is also an incredible gift you can give during your lifetime. We encourage everyone to educate themselves about the possibilities of living organ donation. You can find comprehensive resources, information, and direct links right here on our onesenough.co.uk website to help you understand how living donation works.
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