Father and sons, Michael, David and Richard Hnyda travel through Meirionnydd today, on the second day of their six-day hike through Wales to raise money for Ukraine.

The trio, who set off from Caernarfon yesterday (Monday), on their gruelling 160-mile hike across Wales, are heading towards Ganllwyd on the A470 now. You can follow them live at https://www.walktofreedom.co/live

Today they will walk 39.2km. Having left Meantwrog at 8am this morning, they are heading south towards Dolgellau. They head then to Machynlleth and will finish the day at the Centre for Alternative Technology.

The trio, from Porthcawl, want to take on the 160-mile hike across some of Wales’ most challenging terrain to raise money for British Ukrainian Aid.

They plan on completing the journey in just six days, passing through both Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons. The journey is in memory of their Ukrainian grandfather, Wolodymyr, with the 160 miles representing the distance he would have walked from his village in western Ukraine to the nearest safe border with Poland.

They have raised £23,122 so far for the people of Ukraine and are hopeful that in the week of the walk they will be able to significantly increase the amount to provide medical and humanitarian aid for Ukrainian Refugees.

David said: “Our grandfather fought across Europe for Ukrainian independence. He eventually ended up in South Wales and became a proud adopted Welshman and British Citizen. As young men we recognised his qualities of warmth, kindness, resilience, and stoicism; values which are now on display to the world by the brave Ukrainian people.

Wolodymyr Hnyda
Wolodymyr Hnyda (The Hnyda family)

“Like most people we were horrified at the scenes following the invasion of Ukraine and knew we needed to do something to help. Walking the same distance our grandfather did in 1942 to escape the occupying Russian regime will give the trek a poignant significance that will make helping the Ukrainian people even more special”

To follow their progress or join them on a leg of the walk, more information can be found at their website: www.walktofreedom.co

The Itinerary

Monday 4 April - Day 1 - 43.1km - 8am Caernarfon Castle towards Beddgelert, finishing the day in Maentwrog

Tuesday 5 April - Day 2 - 39.2 km - Leave Meantwrog at 8am and head south towards Dolgellau and then on towards Machynlleth, finishing the day at the Centre for Alternative Technology.

Wednesday 6 April - Day 3 - 45.6 km - Leaving Machynlleth at 8am to head southeast through the Glaslyn Nature Reserve towards Llanidloes and then south towards the finish in the small village of Nantgwyn

Thursday 7 April - Day 4 - 44.7 km - Leaving Nantgwyn at 8am to move south towards Rhayader and Garth, finishing just south of Llangammarch Wells in the small village of Tirabad

Friday 8 April - Day 5 - 44.9 km - Over the Brecon Beacons through Trecastle and towards Ystradgynlais via Craig-y-nos. Once through Ystradgynlais, south to Crynant ready for the final push!

Saturday 9 April - Day 6 - 37.4 km - Starting at Crynant RFC, 8am, down the Neath Valley towards Briton Ferry. Turning east through Baglan to Port Talbot and into Margam. Eglwys Nunydd down Water Street through to Kenfig. ​In the final push, they will walk up West Road and cut down the lane to the Rest Home & Rest Bay. Then they will head up the seafront, John Street and up South Road to finally finish at Porthcawl RFC for a few drinks and a bit of a party at 5pm