The first leg of a charitable walk that sets off from the steps of the Senedd on Sunday 25th August will commemorate four local Welsh Guardsmen.
The first stage of Walk on Wales, which will cover 46 miles from Cardiff to Chepstow, will honour Sergeant Clifford Elley from Pontypridd, Guardsman Colin Parsons from Tremorfa in Cardiff, Lance Sergeant Kevin Keoghane from Newport and Guardsman Gareth Griffiths from Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire.
All four were sadly killed in action during the Falklands conflict (Operation Corporate) whilst aboard the RFA Sir Galahad at Fitzroy on June 8th 1982.
Sponsored by investment management firm Brewin Dolphin, the walk will cover the entire 870-mile Welsh Coast Path with the aim of raising £1 million for the Welsh Guards Afghanistan Appeal and Combat Stress.
Having been a former Captain in the British Army, the cause is close to the heart of Brewin Dolphin’s divisional director, David Myrddin-Evans. He said: “As a former Guards Officer I have seen the terrible impact of active service on soldiers and their families so when the opportunity arose to sponsor Walk on Wales I immediately flagged it up to my team who were also happy to support the cause.
“This is a great mission for two very worthwhile charities and my team and I look forward to joining walkers on the first leg from Cardiff. It will also be an honour to commemorate the service of Sergeant Clifford Elley, Guardsman Colin Parsons, Lance Sergeant Kevin Keoghane and Guardsman Gareth Griffiths who died in battle during the Falklands War.”
Conceived by two Falklands veterans, Jan Koops and Dai Graham, both of whom saw at first hand the impact that active service has on the lives of soldiers and their families, each day of the walk will be dedicated to a Welsh Guardsman who lost their life in battle.
Co-Founder Jan Koops, said: “Since the end of WWII, the Welsh Guards have lost 50 men killed and seen many seriously wounded in combat in places as far apart as Northern Ireland, the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan.
“During the first leg of the walk, four of these Guardsmen will be remembered and acknowledged for their active service. In a journey of remembrance and thanks, we will be carrying a specially commissioned silver baton inscribed with the names of those 50 Welsh Guardsmen who died while serving their country.
“It’ll be a very special journey and we look forward to walking the stunning Welsh coast path with staff from Brewin Dolphin, families of the Welsh Guards, our supporters and members of the local community.”