Lads on the pull to back Beefy! (From Penarth Times)

Lads on the pull to back Beefy!

VALE fundraisers are pulling out all the stops to support Ian 'Beefy' Botham's famous Walk through Wales.

The seasoned charity fund-raiser is trekking through the Principality in a bid to raise £250,000 as part of the Noah's Ark Appeal which hopes to fund the first children's hospital in Wales.

Ian's walk is split into nine stages, each averaging 26 miles, and the cricketing legend is covering an estimated 229 miles from Machy-nlleth to Cardiff.

It includes a large area of the Vale, and Noah's Ark Appeal officials will collect donations along the way.

Leaving Bridgend on Friday, Ian will walk through Cowbridge and continue along the A48 to Culve-rhouse Cross before turning on to the A4050 towards Barry.

His route through the town includes Colcot Road, Jenner Road, Park Crescent, High Street and Broad Street before arriving at the leisure centre.

He will attend a Press conference at Barry Leisure Centre at 8.30am on April 27 to receive cheques from the top Vale fund-raisers, and members of the public are welcome to attend.

Ian will then head for Cardiff via Holton Road, Barry, Sully, Lavernock and Penarth. After walking across the Barrage, Ian will be met by hundreds of supporters, including, it is expected, Catherine Zeta Jones and Charlotte Church, and move on to his final destination, Cardiff Castle.

Fund-raising events in the Vale in support of the appeal have included a non-stop sponsored indoor row by Lifestyle assistant Gareth Green and Lifestyle member David Noble at the Barry Leisure Centre.

During their seven-and-a-half hour session, the pair covered around 63 miles on one of the centre's rowing machines and raised more than £500.

Gareth said: "It was a brilliant experience for a fantastic cause but really demanding, both mentally and physically, especially in the later stages. We would like to thank everyone who supported us on the day."

Other fund-raising highlights are: lBarry Lifestyle members Julie Martin and Carol Farr have cycled 56kms each over the last 10 days and raised more than £200.

Llantwit Major Lifestyle member Kevin John was planning a 229-mile, three-day cycle. Through the loan of two rowing machines, Lifestyle are helping fund-raising activities by Tesco's at Barry, from 9am to 6pm on April 26.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council is holding a fund-raising "Dress Down Day" on April 26, with participating employees asked to donate a minimum of £1 each. Those failing to take part face a minimum £2 "fine".