WELSH celebrities laced up their walking boots this morning for a 200-mile Wales Air Ambulance trek.
Tenor Rhys Meirion, comedian Tudur Owen and Wales forwards coach Robin McBryde were among the 15-strong party due to set off from Swansea.
Last night a concert to launch the walk was lined up at the city's Dragon Hotel.
This morning, after a send-off by Dunvant Male Choir, the party was to be joined by guest walkers First Minister Carwyn Jones and Lord Mayor of Swansea, June Stanton.
The public can also join in during certain sections of the eight-day walk.
Wales Air Ambulance has three helicopters based at Swansea Airport, Welshpool and Caernarfon, which carry two paramedics. The service costs £6 million per year to run, and relies on public donations. Speaking last month, charity ambassador Mr Meirion said: "The momentum for this walk started months ago — we feel we will start it running."
Entertainment is being laid on at every stopover, including an event at Llanelli's Stradey Park Hotel at 8pm tonight.
From Llanelli the group will head to Carmarthen, Lampeter and then swing north towards Caernarfon.
The walk has been named Cerddwn Ymlaen, or Walk On.
Former Wales prop Mr McBryde said he looked forward to the walk.
He said. "I had one day walking with the crew last year. Up until that point I didn't realise that Wales Air Ambulance relies on public funding to keep it going."
www.cerddwnymlaen.com
