Walk for Life starts from Newport's Transporter Bridge (From South Wales Argus)

Walk for Life starts from Newport's Transporter Bridge

2:54pm Wednesday 13th March 2013 in Gwent news

SIX-AND-A-HALF years on from her fourth – and most successful – kidney transplant, Maureen Hendon is on the fundraising trail for a charity that provides support for patients in Wales.

As organiser of the annual Newport Walk For Life, in aid of the Kidney Wales Foundation, she is hoping to persuade as many people as possible to take part in the event on Sunday, March 24, or support those who do.

Ms Hendon, 51, a former Monmouthshire council officer and expert patient programme co-ordinator for Gwent, who lives in Caerleon, received a kidney in 2006, after having to be persuaded to go through the operation again following three previous transplants.

Now she is a volunteer at the Newport Transporter Bridge visitor centre and for St David’s Hospice Care, and the bridge is set to feature in this year’s Walk For Life.

“We’re going to start at the bridge and it’s been agreed that walkers can cross the river on the gondola.

“The bridge opens for crossings again the following weekend, so this will be like a dry run,” she said.

“The walk will then go along the eastern riverbank to the Town Bridge, then back out to the Transporter Bridge.

“It’s a great cause and I hope we can raise at least £1,000. We have raised up to £2,500 before, but these are tough times and there are more calls than ever on people’s money.”

Anyone wishing to take part on Sunday, March 24 – the walk will begin at 10.30am – may contact Ms Hendon for more details and sponsor forms on 07825 234441.