A Llanymynech couple, who both work in Welshpool, will be taking on the 46-mile Across Wales Walk to raise money for children’s hospice.

Rhian Jones and Mark Holman, who both work for manufacturing company Invertek in Welshpool, will be taking on the challenge of walking from Montgomery to Machynlleth in the Rotary Across Wales walk on June 22.

Starting at 2am on a route that is expected to take between 16 and 17 hours, the couple are hoping to raise £1,000 for Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith children’s hospices, having already raised £500.

Mark said: “We’ve always enjoyed walking together and are looking at walks further away from home to try new places.

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“We signed up for this walk in January as it’s really popular, and decided we should walk for a charity. Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith is a good local charity that Invertek has supported in the past, and we thought we’d carry on fundraising for them.”

It won’t be the couple’s first walking challenge. Having been together for five years, they’ve also tackled the Yorkshire Three Peaks and the 26-mile Clun Valley Walk. In the past they’ve done the Cotswolds Way, Welsh coastal path and Offa’s Dyke Path.

Rhian added: “People always ask what we talk about when we walk but we find there’s always something to ramble on about.”

“As long as my feet hold out I’ll be fine. I’m going to tape them up well to protect from the dreaded blisters.

“It’ll be back to work as usual on Monday. Hopefully my walking boots won’t have left me with too many blisters.”

Hope House Fundraiser Bekki Fardoe thanked Rhian and Mark for their walking and fundraising efforts.

She said: “Thank you to Rhian and Mark for all their hard work. Hope House & Ty Gobaith rely on fundraising from generous people to ensure that children with life-threatening condition and their families receive the care and support they deserve.”