29 March 2009 is the day to Walk in Wales

2009’s Walk for Life takes place on March 29 and is set to be the biggest yet! And you can be a part of it.

If you organised a walk last year and want to get involved again we’d love to hear from you. And if there isn’t a walk in your hometown then why not organise one yourself? It’s really easy to do and you’ll get the full support of Kidney Wales’ Walk for Life team to help you all the way.

We supply all our walk organisers with their own bumper Walk for Life packs including promotional posters, flyers, sponsor forms, T-shirts and of course certificates for those that take part in the walk.

The walk itself can be as long or as short as you want it to be and you don’t have to be super fit to take part – just enjoy it at your own leisurely pace.

Last year a massive 36 walks took place across Wales from Amlwch in the north to Cardiff in the south raising more than £80,000. Money raised from our biggest fundraiser goes to helping transform the lives of the hundreds of children in Wales affected by kidney disease and failure. Life on dialysis for these children is extremely difficult, while some are so sick they might never get the chance to be put forward for a kidney transplant.

With your help and support though we can give these children and their families hope by funding new state-of-the-art dialysis machines, ground-breaking research into kidney disease, paediatric social workers and much-need improvements to the Children’s Kidney Unit at the University Hospital of Wales, which cares for patients across Wales.

Every penny you raise really does make a difference. Help us to help a child and support your local Walk for Life.

e mail noel@kidneywales.com

Countdown to 2009 Walk For Life

The countdown is on to 2009’s Walk for Life!

To help raise thousands of pounds to transform the lives of children across Wales affected by kidney failure click here now
“I hope as many people attend their local Walk for Life as possible this year and make the day a huge success.”

Katherine Jenkins, Walk for Life Ambassador and Kidney Wales Patron.

Walking Land's End to John Groat's in 90 days

Congratulations to Kidney Wales fundraiser Ruth Martin who has completed her mamoth trek from Lands End to John O’Groats in 90 days.

The civil servant from London, whose brother works at the University Hospital for Wakles in Cardiff began her dauting 1,400 mile walk in April. And Ruth didn’t take the ‘easy route’ to the UK’s outermost reaches, instead zigzagging her way across the country’s coastal and public footpaths and national park trails.

“My brother John works at the University Hospital for Wales in kidney research and makes such a difference to people’s lives just like Kidney Wales does. That’s one of the reasons why I wanted to do my bit as well.

“The walk was hard, but an amazing experience and I would like to say a huge thank you to all those who have supported me along the way,” said Ruth.

Last year Ruth ran the London Marathon in under five hours, raising £3,700 for Kidney Wales. Already she has raised more than £2,000 from the walk and hopes to top the £3,000 mark soon.

“We would like to say a big thank you to Ruth for all her efforts; we are extremely proud of her. To walk more than 1,400 miles is an amazing achievement and the money she has raised will be used to help the lives of those affected by kidney failure,” said Kidney Wales chairman Roy J. Thomas.

Walk for life's a Welsh winner (From Western Telegraph)

Walk for life's a Welsh winner (From Western Telegraph)

Walk for life's a Welsh winner
12:50pm Monday 21st July 2008


Participants raising money for the Kidney Wales Foundation in Fishguard's Walk for Life have topped the chart of Welsh fundraisers, raising over £10,000 for the charity.

The event raised the most money out of the 33 walks taking part simultaneously around Wales last March.

WALK FOR LIFE DINNER 2008 A GREAT SUCCESS

Hundreds turned out at the City Hall Cardiff for the 2008 Walk for Life presentations with stars Alex Jones , Amanda Protheroe Thomas and legend Stuart Cable.Over 20 of the 37 Walks turned out.

The Walk for Life supporters generated over £77,000 for the Kidney Wales Foundation and Roy J Thomas said " Money is still coming in and we expect over £85,000 this year.It has been an amazing year for us. The work has been generous and selfless. The Kidney Children's Unit and the University of Wales Institute of Nephrology will benefit."

Communities like Ammanford and Fishguad raised over £10,000 in each Walk.Gwaenysgor from North Wales celebrated 10 years of walking.

Pictured is Alex Jones who helped host the evening.More pictures will be featured on Tuesday next week and on the KW website.

Walkers Step Out For Charity (from Barry And District News)

Walkers Step Out For Charity (from Barry And District News) click


THE Barry Walk For Life event raised more than £1,000 for the Kidney Wales Foundation on Sunday.
Over 30 walkers met up at Morrisons Car Park at 11am on Sunday morning, and walked to the Knap, through Romilly Park and back via Broad Street.
The event was organised again this year by Gaynor Taylor in memory of her son Richard who died in 2004, and her husband John who died two years ago, shortly before the walk.
Gaynor said: "We won't know exactly how much has been raised for a while - but we know that it is over £1,000.
"I'm really pleased - and we were really lucky to have such a nice day for the event."

Walk For Life Raises Over £4000 (from Western Telegraph)

Walk For Life Raises Over 4000 (from Western Telegraph) click

Around 250 people in Fishguard showed their support for the Kidney Wales Foundation by taking part in the Walk for Life .
The walk was organised by KW AMBASSDOR Allison John and family. Allison, who is studying medicine at Cardiff University, suffers from cystic fibrosis. She had a liver transplant and a heart and lung transplant in her late teens.
Just over a year ago the 29-year-old needed a kidney transplant and a suitable match was found in her father. In the course of her treatment she became involved with the Kidney Wales Foundation and became their ambassador.
The Fishguard walk was one of 33 going on simultaneously all over Wales to raise awareness and raise funds for kidney research and kidney patients. So far £4000 has been raised from sponsorship and collection boxes, with more money still to come in.
Allison's mother Helen was overwhelmed by the amount of people who showed up on the day.
"People were so supportive, I can't get over it." she said. "It was amazing a really good turn out and everybody walked from 75 year olds to babies in pushchairs. They all came in a jolly mood ready to walk. It was really rewarding for us as a family."