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Crosskeys-born photographer Roger Tiley will spend six days walking across the valleys to raise money in memory of his late mother.

Roger spent the 1980s and 90s capturing some of the most iconic shots of mining communities in locations across south Wales, many of which he’ll return to as part of his 100-mile hike.

Starting in Pontypool on Monday July 1, Roger will spend six days walking across south Wales, stopping at his home town of Crosskeys to see his dad, before finishing in the Swansea Valley, where he now lives, on Saturday.

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer ahead of the challenge, Roger said: “I sadly lost my mother to dementia a few years ago and as it’s 40 years since the miners’ strike, I thought this would be a nice way to raise some money.

“The valleys have changed a lot from when I walked them as a boy. They’re a lot greener for one. I still drive them regularly but I’m interested to see how much they’ve changed on foot.”

The 64-year-old began his photography journey in 1978 as an apprentice industrial snapper for a large car components company before later studying documentary photography under the guidance of Magnum photographer David Hurn.

Across four decades, Roger’s work has been published in a number of books alongside countless national and international newspapers.

He continued: “I think it’ll be quite bittersweet to see the mines gone by. I don’t think we’ve ever recovered from the jobs lost.

“I’ve had the privilege of meeting some incredible people, some becoming friends for life.”

Supposedly ‘retired’, Roger said how he’s feeling as “youthful as ever”, and still runs a photography website where he publishes his work.

“I’m going to donate the money raised to Alzheimer’s Society in memory of Mam. I remember her telling me that her father, my Grampa Evans, went down the mine.

“His brother was killed underground aged 15, just a week after receiving his first wage. I’ll be passing the old colliery site during my walk.”

To donate to Roger’s challenge and keep up with his progress, you can visit his website.