A CWMBRAN man is going to walk 37 miles without breaks, water or food in memory of his friend who died from cancer.

Richard Fitzgerald will be starting the walk from the Asda in Cwmbran at midnight on Thursday, June 1. The 32-year-old will then be walking to the Asda in Brynmawr via Blaenavon and then to the Tesco in Abertillery.

He will then continue to the Tesco in Pontypool before heading back to the Asda in Cwmbran.

Mr Fitzgerald, who will be raising funds for Cancer Research UK, said: “I will be doing it without breaks because people who have cancer do not get any breaks.

“I have also decided not to have any water or food because I know that some people who have cancer can’t drink in the last few days of their lives.

“Walking at night means I will dehydrate a lot less and I will be using the supermarkets as check points so people know where I will be at every point.

“I hope that, by suffering for a short amount of time, I will be able to help others who have suffered for a long time.”

Mr Fitzgerald, who lives in Cwmbran town centre, said he expects he will be walking for up to 14 hours and that he has spent the last few months training by walking up to 20 miles in a day.

“My friend Paul Adams died on April 1 this year from lung cancer,” he said. “Paul and I used to work together in Tesco distribution centre in Magor.

“We also rented a house together in Cwmbran, we lived together for about 18 months. He was also my wedding photographer.

“Paul was the nicest person you will ever meet.

“He was so funny and he didn’t have a bad bone on his body. He got on well with everybody.”

Mr Fitzgerald, who is currently looking for a job, said that he has done things for charity before, such as a sky dive.

“However, when I did things like that it didn’t feel like I was doing it myself,” he said. “I will have to make an effort this time, but I know I am physically fit to do it.

“I know I can make the finish line, unlike someone who has cancer. “

He said he has raised around £275 so far - but that money is still coming in and that he is hoping to raise a lot more.

To donate, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Richard-Fitzgerald5