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Blackwood councillor Andrew Farina-Childs has been dubbed the ‘walking councillor’ after raising more than £7,500 for charities in the last three years.

In September alone, Cllr Farina-Childs has raised almost £600 and walked more than 300,000 steps for Prostate Cancer UK after having a scare in 2019.

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer about his work over recent years, the independent councillor said: “In 2019, I was told I might have prostate cancer. Hearing that is an emotionally draining experience that words can’t describe.

“Fortunately, they gave me the all-clear. However, it changed my outlook on life and I decided to try and make a difference from then on.”

Since 2021, Cllr Farina-Childs has raised more than £7,500 for charities such as Maggie’s, Men’s Sheds, and the Royal British Legion, through his walks.

He continued: “Earlier this year I managed to raise over £1,500 for the Royal Air Force Cadets after walking 144 miles. It’s incredibly rewarding.”

Cllr Farina-Childs, who is also a health walking leader for Age Cymru, said there have been other benefits to the charity walks, aside from raising money: “Men’s mental health is something which we find difficult to deal with.

“When I’m on my walks around Blackwood Showfield I’m often joined by at least a few people who come out to support me and have a chat which is really good for the mind.”

Cllr Farina-Childs added that he already has two charity walks planned next year, and would love to see people get involved with him.

For more information and to donate you can visit Cllr Farina-Childs’ Prostate Cancer UK page.