ONE of Newport’s most iconic landmarks was the stage for a fundraising and awareness walk for a Welsh kidney charity and foundation.

Event organiser Maureen Hendon, who was diagnosed with kidney failure in 1992, organised the Walk for Life event for the Kidney Wales Foundation at Newport’s Transporter Bridge.

Mrs Hendon, 54, of The Lodge, Caerleon, had the last of her four kidney transplants in October 2006, and has arranged nine awareness walks for the foundation since then.

Mrs Hendon, a volunteer at the Transporter Bridge visitor centre, said: “It is such an iconic part of the city, I thought it would be fitting to walk over the top of it.”

Twenty-five people turned up to support the event, although Mrs Hendon was unable to walk over the bridge herself due to injury.

“Unfortunately due to a foot injury, I was unable to walk over it myself but I walked over the bridge in spirit with everyone who came along and took part.”

Mrs Hendon is started to plan next year’s event, which will be her 10th Walk for Life, and hopes to reach out to fellow people from Gwent who have experienced kidney-related issues.

She said: “Next year will be special for me as it’ll be the 10th event I have taken part in since my successful transplant. I am hoping that next year, we can reach out to other people, like myself, who have suffered from kidney problems.

“It would be great to see other people at the awareness events who are closely connected with kidney issues, so they can come along and support this wonderful organisation.”

Walk for Life is a nationwide event, and for more information, visit kidneywales.com, and to donate to Mrs Hendon’s fundraising event, go to justgiving.com/Maureen-Hendon1