A GROUP of Vale-based freemasons has presented a children’s hospital with more than £20,000 after a walk around Wales left them battered and bruised.

Freemasons from around Wales, part of the Walk Around Wales team this year, amassed the sum after doing battle with nature in aid of the Children’s Hospital For Wales Noah’s Ark Appeal, beginning in May this year.

The group, which consisted of walkers from 25 lodges, presented Lyn Jones with the cash raised so far.

Penarth was the origin of the appeal as, 20 years ago in Chandler’s restaurant on Penarth seafront, Lyn and some friends decided wouldn’t it be a good idea to have a Children’s Hospital For Wales.

Penarth-based Services Lodge 7139 worshipful master and organiser Paul Haley, of Barry, said: “The rest is a tale of having that dream and inspiring vision and making it happen.

“Lyn’s dream is in fact a reality.

“Brethren not only walked many, many days, but never once complained except about blisters, toe nails, falling in streams, losing mobile phones, losing the gavel, losing their way, being chased by cattle, stingy nettles, and gorse bushes, but they never complained about the travel costs, bed and breakfast costs, hotels, farmhouses, food that they all paid for individually.

“It is very important that Noah’s Ark achieves all its funding and I’m so glad and so proud that an idea started by a Mason has been so well supported by Masons in Wales.”

The 1,110 mile walk around Wales was completed in 62 days.