Big score for 'Beefy' (From Penarth Times)

Big score for 'Beefy'

PENARTHIANS turned out in force on the weekend to cheer Ian 'Beefy' Botham through the last stages of his Noah's Ark Appeal walk.

Residents lined the streets as the former world-class cricketer strode through the town, over the Barrage and into Cardiff Bay.

Reporter Jessica Hinton was on hand to report directly from the side of the veteran charity walker.

'Beefy' started his Stage Nine trek from Barry Lesiure Centre. He had swept into the town on Friday night. But after a good night's sleep and a quick presentation ceremony, he was off again.

Famous for his charity marches, Botham is well over six feet tall and extremely energetic. He ate up the road in front of him as he strode through Sully, into Westbourne Road and Windsor Road and then on to Cardiff.

He was surrounded by people with collection buckets who made the most of the record crowds, many also hoping to see Catherine Zeta Jones join the walk at the Bay.

Focused on the task ahead of him, Ian still had breathe to talk to the Times.

He said: "I've been looking forward to this part of the walk since the start. The weather is being good to us so far, and I'm anticipating a wonderful end in Cardiff."

He took on this walk with no extra training to his usual fitness routine. But watching him pace his way at barely slower than a run, I asked him what kept him going.

He said: "There have been rumours we aim to raise around £250,000. But we're actually looking at more like £900,000. It's been so well supported. The appeal is a good cause. I keep that in mind and put one foot in front of the other."

The walk went through Penarth, over the Barrage and on to Cardiff Bay, where Ian was joined by Swansea stunner Catherine Zeta-Jones and the angelic Charlotte Church.

Together, they braved the last few miles to Cardiff Castle, and the ultimate end of the mammoth Welsh walk.