Des O'neill from the Irish folk band Pholklaw, was more than mid way through a 100 mile sponsored walk – interspersed with impromptu musical sessions – when the Gazette bumped into him and his fellow minstrels last weekend as they prepared to bed down for the night in woods near Ross. The walk started near Brecon and it will finish in their home town of Tewkesbury. For the whole distance, and in blistering sunshine, they are carrying all their food, water and shelter and musical instruments.

With a can of Guinness to hand and gently strumming his guitar, Des explained to the Gazette that "the walk was in memory of: "Best friend and fellow band mate, Paul (Cork) Walsh." Living in Tewkesbury but originally from Togher, Co Cork, Paul tragically died in December 2011 after falling over and accidentally banging his head. The walkers are following a route Paul himself completed in 2004 to raise money for Northway Preschool Playgroup, which his children attended and Des' does now. "Before he died he was planning to do the walk for the second time and I am now going to complete it on his behalf."

He is raising funds via the Just Giving website where any funds raised will go directly to the playgroup (charity number 1003986). You can also access the website via their band page of http://www.pholklaw.co.uk">www.pholklaw.co.uk. The playgroup, meanwhile, will be meeting them on their final stretch back into Tewkesbury.