A GROUP of friends have raised more than £60,000 so far for charity after taking part in a three day 60 mile walk in Wales for their close friend and colleague who was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer.

Patrick Wymer, 53, from Penarth, was diagnosed with the disease in June last year after experiencing stomach pains, weight loss and a change in bowel movements.

He joined his friends for parts of the trek along the Pembrokeshire coast.

The walk began at Marloes Sands, Pembrokeshire, and finished at Strumble Head on Saturday, May 5, stopping at Solva on day one and Porthgain on day two.

After the group of eight doubled their original fundraising target they changed their goal to raise £60,000, which they topped following the walk.

The money raised has gone to Bowel Cancer UK, Beating Bowel Cancer, and the Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff, where Mr Wymer has been receiving treatment.

Mr Wymer said: “I’m so incredibly grateful to my friends Chris, Ian, Tom, Martin, Stephen and David. While the walk was a tough physical challenge, the team spirit and determination was amazing, the coastal scenery stunning and thankfully the weather was perfect for walking.

“Most importantly of all, we raised more than £60,000 for two wonderful organisations, Bowel Cancer UK and Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff.”

Chris Thomas, a senior director at CBRE in Bristol who worked closely with Mr Wymer while he worked in retail property, helped to organise the event.

He said: “We really wanted to do something close to Patrick’s heart and something he could join in on, while raising awareness of bowel cancer.

“Patrick has been amazingly positive in the way he has dealt with his cancer.”