AN accountant is swapping his ledgers for his walking shoes later this month as he steps out on a charity challenge.

Huw Roberts (pictured) is undertaking an Easter pilgrimage of 75 miles from Llanddewi Brefi in Cardiganshire to St. David's to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

Following his successful pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in 2007 when he raised £9,000 for charity, Huw, an accountant in Cardiff, aims to complete a second pilgrimage between March 30 and April 3. The plan is to follow in the footsteps of our Patron Saint and pilgrims to St. David's.

The walk will commence in Llanddewi Brefi (known across the world these days as home of Dafydd in Little Britain!). Here the ground arose from under St. David's feet when he was preaching to a large congregation in order that all could see him.

The next day will commence from Hen Fynyw (just outside Aberaeron) where he received his education.

The third day will commence from St. David's Church in Blaenporth.

On April 1 (which is also Huw's parents 60th wedding anniversary) the intention is to walk to the historical church of Nevern which was a popular point on the Celtic Pilgrimage to St. David's.

The following day, the destination will be Mathry Church on the north Pembrokeshire coastline.

On Easter Saturday, there will be a final walk to St. David's and six miles from the finish, Huw will pass the last meeting point of pilgrims at Mesur y Dorth, near Croesgoch, where his brother lives and where he lived when he was three.  

Historically this was the last point where the pilgrims ate before walking the last six miles. Huw would like to get as many friends and companions as possible to join him on the last walk and all are welcome to participate.

Said Huw: "My family has a strong connection with the cathedral in St. David's and my brother, who has traced the family tree, has discovered that five members of the Roberts family have served as vicars and prebendaries at the cathedral in the 1600s and 1700s.

"This means that our family has provided ministers of religion for five consecutive centuries, with my father still active in his ministry in Harmony Baptist Chapel, Fishguard, at the age of 84."

He continued: "As in 2007, the walk is being done for charitable purposes and the main charity will be the British Heart Foundation as my father has had three pacemakers in the last 12 years.

"If anyone wishes to join in on any of the routes, they are welcome to do so. If you do wish to join, my only request is that you make a contribution to the British Heart Foundation. I have no objection to you also collecting money for your own charitable causes as long as a suitable donation is also made to the BHF."

Each walk will be split into two parts and consequently there will be a shorter and longer option available each day.