Swansea City fan Richard Gwyther is going the extra mile to attend the club’s first premiership game of the new season.

He’s walking from the Liberty Stadium in Swansea to Burnley - a distance of over 220 miles!

Is he mad? No! He and three friends are stepping out to raise money for a charity close to their hearts - Macmillan Cancer Support.

Ok, the idea was born one night when Richard, Craig Nelson, Andrew Evans and Dave Bristow were having a pint at Kilgetty’s Sports and Social Club where they are all members.

But the challenge has become a reality and the four are now planning the logistics of their walk and raising sponsorship.

“The reason I am raising money is that my father, Basil, has been diagnosed with cancer which is terminal,” said Richard, 35, a postman with Royal Mail. “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 us.

“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 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 on 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.

Depending on treatment, Basil, Kilgetty’s popular retired milkman, will be their number one supporter.

But before they step out, the boys are organising a week of fundraising activities at the sports and social club in the week leading up to the challenge, with Dave, who is also a DJ, holding fundraisers at Tenby’s Three Mariners, on July 16 and 30.

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.”