THE chairman of Anglesey council has set off on a 130 mile charity coastal path walk, which will also see several beach cleans take place during a 12 day endeavour.

Monday morning saw a group of well-wishers wave off Cllr Dylan Rees as he set off from Holyhead to help raise money for St. David’s Hospice.

The charity recently launched its new four-bed satellite unit at Ysbyty Penrhos Stanley, Holyhead, which will provide in-patient hospice care for residents of Anglesey and beyond.

Cllr Rees, who represents the Canolbarth Môn ward, has also partnered with Keep Wales Tidy to arrange six beach cleans along the route, with the first taking place at Penrhos beach just an hour into his walk.

Before setting off, however, he and other walkers were given a blessing by the vicar of St Cybi’s Church, Reverend Jane Bailey.

Cllr Rees said he hoped to raise around £2,000 and thanked local company, Eaton Electrical, who’ve already sponsored his journey.

“It is going to be a challenge but I believe that if you’re going to ask people to sponsor you, there has to be an element of challenge,” he added.

“For someone in his sixties with two dodgy knees to walk 130 miles over two weeks is going to be a challenge but it’s in aid of a very good cause.

Lesley Jones, Keep Wales Tidy’s chief executive, added: “Spring Clean Cymru brings together individuals, community groups, businesses and councils to make a difference to the environment on our doorstep.

“We are delighted that Dylan Rees; the chairman of Anglesey County Council is supporting this year’s campaign and would like to thank him for his efforts in cleaning up the beaches during his sponsored walk.

“Without councils across the country giving the campaign their backing, our volunteers would not be able to do the incredible job they do.”

To donate, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Dylan-Rees1.

The rest of Cllr Rees' Walk timetable is as follows:

Stage 4 – Thursday April 18. Start 9am in Amlwch and walk to Lligwy. Carry out ‘beach clean’ at Lligwy Beach for 2pm. Continue walking afterwards to Benllech (15 miles).

Stage 5 – Saturday April 20, start 9am in Benllech and walk to Penmon Point (12.5 miles).

Stage 6 – Sunday April 12, start 2pm at Penmon Point and walk to Beaumaris (9 miles).

Stage 7 – Monday April 22, start 9am in Beaumaris and walk to Moel y Don (10 miles).

Stage 8 – Tuesday April 23, start 10am in Moel y Don with a ‘beach clean’. Continue afterwards to Llyn Rhos Du (9miles).

Stage 9 – Wednesday April 24, start 9am in Llyn Rhos Du and walk to Llanddwyn for ‘beach clean’ at 10.00am. Continue walking afterwards to Malltraeth (8miles).

Stage 10 – Thursday April 25, start 9am in Malltraeth and walk to Rhosneigr (12 miles).

Stage 11 – Friday April 26, start 10am in Rhosneigr with a ‘beach clean’. Continue walking afterwards to Rhoscolyn (12 miles).

Stage 12 – Saturday April 27, start 9am in Rhoscolyn and walk to Trearddur Bay. Carry out a ‘beach clean’ at 10.30am. Continue walking afterwards to finish in Holyhead (15 miles).