Representatives from a leading Welsh health charity will be walking the entirety of Wales this month to raise vital funds and awareness for the 10,000 patients living with kidney disease across the country.

The ‘Walk Around Wales’, organised by Kidney Wales, will take the team of three volunteer walkers 30 days to complete and will walk through Carmarthenshire this Saturday, April 22 stopping off at the renal unit at Glangwili West Wales Hospital.

The unit currently supports 70 patients living with kidney disease in the region, providing dialysis support close to home for many patients who would otherwise have to travel longer distances for their daily treatments.

The volunteers will travel to 25 towns across Wales visiting 15 additional Welsh dialysis centres along the way.

At the West Wales Hospital Renal Unit, the Kidney Wales team will meet nurses, patients, and their families to learn more about their experiences of living with kidney diseases and life on dialysis.

The 14 staff that run the centre will be leading the volunteers on a tour of the facility and talking about the vital work they do to support patients.

The ambitious individuals taking part in the gruelling walk include Roy Thomas, Chief Executive of Kidney Wales and Gerwyn Taylor, a member of HM Forces, who grew up watching his uncle live with kidney failure and witnessed the impact that life on dialysis can have and the importance of a life changing transplant. Also taking part In the Walk around Wales is GP Dr Chris Williams, a supporter and regular donator to Kidney Wales

Commenting on the Walk around Wales endeavour, Roy Thomas said: “This incredible charity is 50 years old this year and we wanted to mark the occasion in a very special way. It’s remarkable to look back at all that we have achieved over the past five decades - it really has been an incredible ride.

“From a personal point of view, this is without a doubt, going to be one of the most challenging things I’ve ever taken on, but I know that at the same time it will be incredibly rewarding. Visiting the dialysis centres which facilitate the care and support needed so desperately by thousands of kidney patients across Wales will be a huge honour and listening to their individual stories will undoubtedly be both eye opening and inspiring.

“We would love people across the country to get behind the Walk around Wales and support us in whatever way they can, whether they walk a mile with us, stop for a tea, cake and a chat with us, or donate vital funds to help us continue supporting the many patients that so badly need our support.”

For more information on how you can get involved with the Walk around Wales campaign visit kidneywales.cymru/get-involved/walk-around-wales/ or to donate visit justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/kwf/bigwalkwales2017