A pub landlord and his partner have jetted off to South America for a 100km charity trek.
Veteran fundraisers Tony Kear-Smith and Kat Gower will spend nine days walking a coast-to-coast challenge in Costa Rica.
The couple, who took over The Moat House pub in Caerphilly last year, flew out on Wednesday, November 9.
Speaking before they left, Kat said: “I’m excited but really nervous too. It’s like being little again and waiting for Christmas, because I just want to be there now.”
Their fundraising total stands at just under £8,000 after running months of events at the pub, including raffles, a sponsored exercise bike ride as well as taking pub mascot Sizzler the dragon out with collecting buckets.
The money raised will be split between two charities.
Tony is raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support, while kitchen assistant Kat is donating to The ME Association, a cause close to her heart.
The 31-year-old was diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalopathy, which causes extreme tiredness that does not go away with rest or sleep, after a severe bout of ‘flu three years ago.
Before becoming ill, she was working a 60-hour week as joint pub manager with her partner.
She added: “When I was diagnosed with ME, I felt lucky – if that’s the right word. Although my illness does make me beyond tired, and I sleep a lot, I’m not bed-bound like some with the condition.
“That’s one of the reasons it’s such a hard illness to explain. You never know day-to-day, hour-to-hour, how you’re going to feel.
This is the couple’s third charity trek, and follows expeditions in Jordan and Nepal.
Tony, 47, said: “The support we have had over the past few years with our fundraising has been amazing. We can’t thank everyone, especially our regulars at The Moat, enough.”
• To donate visit https://goo.gl/Ky9hxd and https://goo.gl/ZxDhlU.