A Llangian couple will walk 100 miles this month to raise funds for the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Coronavirus Appeal.

The charity is helping people in some of the world’s most fragile states deal with the effects of the pandemic.

According to a new report released this week, the pandemic has worsened the already dire humanitarian situation in fragile states such as Syria, Yemen and South Sudan, with aid workers saying they expect it to deteriorate further in the coming months.

The economic impact of the virus has left people unable to afford food and other essentials, they said, with thousands likely to die from hunger this year in several countries.

Gwenan, a social worker for the charity Y Bont in Penygroes, said: “We’ve decided to do this because we realise how difficult it is for everyone to deal with the pandemic but so much more difficult for people in countries where they are already going hungry or at war.

“As we can’t organise a coffee morning or any other event at the moment, we thought we’d try to think of something else we could do from home.”

Gwenan and John Gruffydd will don their walking boots and set off from their doorstep with the aim of walking 100 miles in March and raising £500 for the DEC’s Coronavirus Appeal.

The money raised will buy soap and water and essential food for those at breaking point in countries such as Yemen, South Sudan and Somalia.

“Knowing every penny raised will help people who are in extremely difficult circumstance will keep us going during those tougher miles,” said Gwenan.

“If the weather is good, especially on weekends, we should manage 100 miles each; we’ll have to fit in a few walks in the week, after work and before it gets dark!”

Casia Wiliam, originally from Nefyn, is external relations manager for the DEC in Wales.

“It’s fantastic to see people like Gwenan and John set themselves a challenge and raising money for the appeal; we’re very grateful to them,” she said.

“It is a devastating situation in many countries following the pandemic. Millions of children are suffering with acute malnutrition, and at this time when humanitarian need is growing, funding for aid is being reduced.

“If anyone else fancies taking on a challenge to raise money for the DEC Appeal then go for it. As we’re in an extended lockdown period it’s a good time to have something to focus on and get us out of the house!

“Any money raised will be spent in one of the appeal’s seven countries in the next few months, and will definitely make a big change to someone’s life.”

To donate to Gwenan and John’s Walking Challenge visit justgiving.com/fundraising/gwenan-gruffydd