Gwent businessman Ross Porter will be putting his best foot forward later in the year in aid of the Welsh Guards Afghanistan Appeal and the Combat Stress charity.
Ross Porter, aged forty, from Pontllanfraith, near Blackwood, is Director of commercial and domestic cleaning firm Lady Muck Cleaning. The father of three has signed up to take part in the forthcoming Walk On Wales sponsored walk which starts on 25 August 2013.
Ross, a native of Barmouth, is part of one of the 11 Walk on Wales relay teams which will walk the Welsh Coast Path, accompanied by Jan Koops and Rod Morgan who will be walking the entire 870 miles.
The teams will be carrying with them a specially commissioned silver baton inscribed with the names of those 50 Welsh Guardsmen who died while serving their country in Afghanistan, the Falklands, Iraq and Northern Ireland. In a journey of remembrance and thanks, the baton will travel the entire length of the stunning Welsh Coast Path before arriving back at Cardiff Bay.
The baton is at the very heart of Walk on Wales. Inscribed with the rank, initials and surnames of the 50 Welsh Guards who have given their lives in active service since 8 May 1945, it embodies the spirit of these brave men, many of whom were well known to the people who will be carrying the baton around the Welsh coastline.
The sterling silver baton has been commissioned and generously donated by Welsh Guards Rugby Reunion Club. The end caps are embossed with the Regimental crest and the cap rims with two Celtic crosses. The baton conceals a scroll which commemorates the eight soldiers from other regiments and Corps who were killed in action while attached to the Welsh Guards.
Ross said: “When I found out about the Walk On Wales appeal I had no hesitation in volunteering my time to walk a stage of the event. I hope my involvement will encourage other people I know to join in and help raise funds for this worthy cause. I aim to raise £250 for the cause.”
Ross is limbering up to walk the Shell Island to Fairbourne, Gwynedd, stage of the walk on September 25. To find out how you can sign up and help, please go to www.walkonwales.org