A civil servant from London whose brother works at the University Hospital for Wales in Cardiff is walking from Lands End to John O’Groats to raise money for the Kidney Wales Foundation.

And Ruth Martin won’t be taking the easy route to the UK’s outermost reaches as she plans to zigzag her way across the country’s coastal and public footpaths and national park trails.

In total the 53-year-old will walk more than 1300 miles, covering around 18 miles a day. She is hoping to arrive at John O’Groats in July and will begin her walk today (April 3).

I feel like I am taking up the baton from my mother and father who have been proud to do so much over the years for Kidney Wales, said Ruth whose parents live in Caernarfon.

My brother John works at the University Hospital for Wales in kidney research and makes such a difference to people’s lives just like Kidney Wales does. That’s one of the reasons why I want to do my bit as well.

Last year Ruth ran the London Marathon in under five hours, raising