A team of intrepid supporters of children’s hospital charity, Noah’s Ark, set off from Machynlleth on Saturday, for the first leg of a walking challenge that will see them travel the length of Powys on a 135-mile trip to Cardiff.

A total of 42 walkers are taking part in the first ever Noah’s Ark Charity Great Welsh Walk, with the aim of raising around £38,000 to support the 73,000 children treated at Wales’ only children’s hospital each year.

Among the walkers for the first 18 miles was Machylleth resident Non Roberts who took part in the event as a thank you to the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales for the care given to her son, Jack, who was born with Spina Bifida.

Ieuan Jones, also from Machynlleth, is taking part for the whole seven days and said: “I saw the Great Welsh Walk advertised in the White Lion and thought ‘Wow what a challenge’, and then when I saw that it was for the children’s hospital I decided I just had to do it.

“My fundraising target was £500 and thanks to the Skinners Arms and the Red Lion who gave me a hefty sums plus friends, family and colleagues, I’ve managed to exceed it. I’m so delighted and can’t wait for the week ahead.”

Walkers set off for their second day from the Hafren Forest Bunkhouse in Staylittle, led by 13-year-old Keiran Hamer from Llanidloes, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour aged five and has been a patient at the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales ever since.

The team then stopped in Llanidloes to thank long term supporter of the charity, Les Jones who has raised thousands for the organisation over many years.

See this week’s Machynlleth & Llanidloes paper for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now