Welsh singer Lloyd Macey will be joining hundreds of supporters when he officially opens Crohn’s & Colitis UK's WALK IT event in Swansea on Saturday 1 June.

Lloyd will be helping to raise awareness of the conditions and Crohn’s & Colitis UK this summer at the annual Swansea WALK IT event, bringing together people from across the country who want a better life for those affected by Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis.

Lloyd Macey was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2013 whilst studying at university and has helped to raise awareness by sharing his experiences on Loose Women and supporting Crohn's & Colitis UK's WALK IT events last year.

Right now, over 300,000 people in the UK are living with a lifelong disease that many people have never heard of. And the real number could be almost double that. Because of the stigma and misunderstanding surrounding these disease, thousands of people are suffering in silence. But they are not alone.

The Swansea WALK IT event consists of a 5km and 10km route around the city that will take supporters past iconic sights and landmarks, allowing participants to meet new people with shared experiences and raise the profile of these debilitating conditions.

Lloyd Macey said: “I’m extremely excited and honoured to be opening the WALK IT event again this year.

"It was an emotional and empowering walk for everyone involved last year at Swansea.

"I shared my own experience and listened to others on the walk and that’s what it’s all about, speaking out and supporting each other. We all have Crohn's or Colitis, but Crohn's or Colitis doesn’t have us.”

Victoria-Marie, Lead, volunteer for the Swansea WALK IT and Community Champion for the charity, said:“WALK IT is a wonderful opportunity for people to raise awareness and show their support for loved ones tackling Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis.

"It takes guts to start a conversation about Inflammatory Bowel Disease so I'm delighted to see both Lloyd Macey and WALK IT return to my hometown of Swansea once more."

Walkers who sign up for WALK IT Swansea will follow the coastline path and enjoy magnificent views across the bay then return to the event village for a great afternoon of fun, food and entertainment.

The money raised from events like this are vital to supporting the charity’s work to help everyone affected by Crohn’s or Colitis and ultimately find a cure.

For more detials visit crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/get-involved/walk-it