Man walking from South Wales to Birmingham in memory of his dad

A Birmingham man is starting a 225 mile journey today (04th June) from South Wales to Birmingham, in memory of his dad who died from Covid.

Neil Hames is making the journey, alongside three childhood friends.

"He has left a real gap in my life"

Neil's father 'Wally' died from Covid, 5 years ago. He told us he was doing the walk to give his father a proper send off:

"He was my dad and he has left a real gap in my life. For example, I now sit at the football on my own because he cannot come with me," he said.

The walk is set to last 11 days, stopping in places like Shropshire and Hereford on the way.

Pembrokeshire to Birmingham...

Neil told us they decided on the route, as his father met his mother in Pembrokeshire. As a child, Neil's father drove them to Pembrokeshire several times a year to see family:

"It is a chance to do the journey that I did with my dad as a kid. Hopefully we will also have some soggy cheese and tomato sandwiches on the way," he said.

The walk is set to finish in Chamberlain Square on father's day.

"We could not have picked a better charity"

Neil and his friends are raising money for the British Heart Foundation and Birmingham-based charity 'Help Harry Help Others'.

The local charity offers support to children and adults living with cancer. It was set up after 11-year-old Harry Moseley died of cancer.

Neil told us he knows Harry's mum well: "I am so proud that she is my friend. She does incredible work to support families. We could not have picked a better charity."

"The hardest part is when you are on your own"

Neil will be joined by Marc Brook, Paul Maynard and Mike Rose, all in their 50s.

"I could not ask for a better group of individuals to walk with. The hardest part of the walk is when you are on your own.

"When you are talking to each other, the whole walk becomes a lot easier, because you are doing it together," he said.

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