WALKERS braved the high winds today for the Newport Walk for Life in aid of a kidney charity.

More than 20 walkers met at the Transporter Bridge for the five mile walk to raise money for the Kidney Wales Foundation, a charity which supports patients and families who have been affected by kidney disease.

Maureen Hendon, organiser and four time kidney transplant patient, said: "I'm happy with the turnout, it's going to be a great day. All the walkers here today were sponsored, we are hoping to raise £1,200.

"A few of them are going to be brave and walk over the top of the Transporter Bridge."

Angharad Jones, 27, of Westfield, Caldicot, brought along her two daughters Amelia, three, and Eva, 10-months-old. Eva Louise Sharratt has chronic kidney disease and was born with only one kidney.

She said: "We came here today to show our support for the charity as they have been amazing to my daughter Eva. The one kidney that she was born with is half the size of what it should be.

"The doctors expect her to go into renal failure and she will need a transplant before she is two-years-old. They are planning to place her on dialysis before Christmas."

The customer services officer for Natwest said: "She's going against the odds the doctors gave her. We wanted to show our support for the charity locally, my partner is running the 10k in Cardiff for the cause."

Gareth Duke, 27, the double medal winning paralympian from Cwmbran took part in the walk as he has been affected with kidney disease.

He said: "I just wanted to come down today to show my support to the charity and try to get people to donate. I've been on dialysis for the last four years, I've had two kidney transplants and now need a third, I am going back on the waiting list."

The former paralympian of Pontnewydd first had a kidney transplant in 2006 and won the silver medal in the Beijing Paralympics while on dialysis in 2008.

Politicians Jessica Morden MP for Newport East and John Griffiths AM for Newport East took part in the charity walk.

John Griffiths AM, said: "I am very happy to be here to support such a great cause. I come across a lot of people who are in need of kidney donors, they are in need of help and support which Kidney Wales Foundation provide.

"The foundation need all the support and funding to run the service for them."