A fundrasing appeal set-up by five sports fans who are walking from the Liberty Stadium in Swansea to Burnley - a distance of over £220 miles - has been dealt a blow.

One of the premises with a collecting box was broken-into last week and the sponsorship money stolen.

The box was taken sometime overnight last Monday when Indie Burger, Upper Frog Street, Tenby, was one of a number of premises broken into that night.

Run by Tommy James and Joshua Bevan, they had been collecting for a ‘Brave the Shave’ they are undertaking as part of the fundraising tonight (Friday).

The whole event is being organised by Swansea City fan Richard Gwyther who came up with the idea of going the extra mile to attend Swansea City’s first premiership game of the new season.

He and friends Craig Nelson, Andrew Evans and Dave Bristow will be walking from the Liberty Stadium in Swansea to Burnley to raise money for a charity close to their hearts - Macmillan Cancer Support.

“The reason I am raising money is that my father, Basil, has been diagnosed with cancer which is terminal,” said Richard. “He has had a lot of support from Macmillan nurses and I feel the need to help out as much as possible, not just for him, but others also.”

Dave, Richard’s brother-in-law, was also keen to pledge his support having had the support of Macmillan after his grandfather was diagnosed with terminal cancer and only given a week to live.

“We had the option to keep him in hospital or to bring him home with the family. We decided to bring him home to spend his last days with us. We were given Macmillan to contact for their support and they were fantastic, helped with care night and day, financial advice, and when my grandfather passed away a week later, they were still supporting is.

“Now my father-in-law (Basil) has been diagnosed with cancer which is terminal. He is well-respected in the community and has worked very hard. Everyone has been there for him and to have the support from Macmillan is a God send. Once again they have been fantastic.”

Craig, 32, a personal trainer, has only lived in Kilgetty for a year-and-a-half, and hadn’t told anyone about his mother suffering from stage four cancer until he heard of the boys challenge.

“My mum was diagnosed two days before Christmas 2014 and has had radiotherapy and chemotherapy. She is really is magic now and has check-ups etc every three months,” said Craig.

The route the walkers are planning to take will take them from the Liberty Stadium to Brecon, Builth Wells, Llandrindod Wells, Newtown, Welshpool and Oswestry, before heading for Wrexham, Northwich, Warrington, Leigh, Accrington and Burnley.”

They will be setting off tomorrow (Saturday, August 6), and will be aiming to walk around 35 miles a day - more possibly if their legs will let them - finishing just before Swansea kick-off on August 13.

Basil, Kilgetty’s popular retired milkman, will be their number one supporter, while also accompanying the group is Steve Scanlon who will be on hand to provide massages every evening.

“It’s going to be tough,” said Richard, “but I’m determined to do it.”

Tonight (Friday), a fundraising evening is being held at Kilgetty Sports and Social Club where the walkers are all members.

As we well as the Brave the Shave by Joshua, Tommy, Richard, Dave, Gareth Gwyther, Dave Flynn and Mike Beynon, there will be an auction and raffle, with lots of exciting prizes donated by local businesses.

Included in the auction are tickets for the England v Pakistan one-day international, an Arsenal top signed by Aaron Ramsey and a Swansea City signed football.

Dave, meanwhile who is also a DJ, held a fundraiser at Tenby’s Three Mariners, which raised £297, with the kind-hearted winner of the £50 raffle donating the prize back to the appeal.

The four walkers will be wearing t-shirts with names of their sponsors on, Kingsmoor Sports and Social Club, Kilgetty, Station Garage, Kilgetty, K. P. Thomas and Sons, Totally Welsh, Jazz Sweet Shop, Tenby, Andrew Rees and Sons Ltd., Scaffold 2000 Ltd., Watkins Bakery, Three Mariners, Tenby, RAOB, Kilgetty, Chris’s Taxis, White Horse, Kilgetty, Bumper to Bumper (KMF), Kilgetty Pharmacy, Pentlepoir Car Sales, Thomas Scourfield and Sons., Bridge Stores, Kilgetty, Cross Roads Garage, Pembrokeshire Scaffolding, Park Road Fish and Chip Shop, Four Seasons Fruit, Veg and Florists.

Hi-vis vests to be worn have been sponsored by Scaffold 2000.

Donation tins can be found at various outlets in the Kilgetty area, while sponsorship can also be pledged via www.justgiving.com and search Richard Gwyther.

“We hope to achieve our goal,” said Richard. “This can only be achieved with the assistance of generous donations. Every little helps.”

Added Dave: “All I can say please, please donate it’s easy. Now you can text your donations by texting BAZG60 £ (amount you want to donate) to 70070. Let us do the hard bit and walk the 220 miles.”