AS A four-time kidney transplant patient, Maureen Hendon knows all about the difficulties of life with a damaged or failing kidney.

But since her last transplant in 2006 she has been involved in organising the Newport Walk For Life, to raise money for the Kidney Wales Foundation, which supports patients and families and backs research into kidney disease.

And she is calling on people thinking of fund-raising for charity to take part in this year’s walk, on Sunday April 27.

The Newport walk is among more than 30 Walks For Life and related events taking place across Wales, mainly this month, backing an initiative that has become the foundation’s biggest annual fundraiser.

“We call the Newport walk the Three Bridges Walk, because it takes in the Transporter Bridge, the bridge over the Southern Distributor Road, and the Newport Footbridge,” said Ms Hendon.

“It is about four miles and starts at the Transporter Bridge at 10.30am. People can go over on the gondola or walk over the top of the bridge, and then it is a mixture of paths along the river and back.

“We normally get 30-35 people taking part but we’d love to see more this year. The most money we have raised in one year is about £2,500.”

Anyone wishing to take part may contact Ms Hendon for more details on 07825 234441.

Other Gwent area Walks For Life are taking place in Cwmbran and Pontypool, and there is also a litter pick being organised in Monmouth.

Contact details for these and other Walk For Life events can be found by visiting the website at kidneywales.com/walk-for-life