Olympic silver medalist Tom Lucy will start this year’s Raglan Specsavers Walk for Life in aid of the Kidney Wales Foundation on April 4.

The rowing hero, who won a medal at last year’s Beijing Olympics with the GB men’s eight rowing team, is a former pupil at Monmouth Boys School where he learnt to row. Still just 20, he has also won a bronze medal at the Rowing World Championships and gold at the 2008 World Cup.

Tom said: It’s a great privilege to supporting the Raglan Specsavers Walk for Life. I’m really looking forward to coming along and supporting such a worthwhile cause and hope lots more people come along on the day too.

The Specsavers Walk for Life is the Kidney Wales Foundation’s biggest fundraising event of the year. More than 50 walks will take place across Wales including two others in Monmouthshire on March 29 in Usk and Monmouth.

The Raglan Walk for Life, which will also be attended by David Davies MP for Monmouth, will take place a week later starting at the Raglan Surgery car park at 11am. All participants will receive a commemorative certificate, while refreshments will be served by members of the Raglan Brownies who are very kindly donating their time to support the event.

Money raised from this year’s Specsavers Walk for Life will be used to help children affected by kidney failure in Wales.

Roy J. Thomas, Chairman of the Kidney Wales Foundation, said: The people of Monmouthshire are showing true community spirit in their support of the Specsavers Walk for Life. With events in Raglan, Monmouth and Usk taking place there are lots of opportunities for people to raise vital, life-saving funds.

For information about the Walk for Life contact the Kidney Wales Foundation team on 029 2034 3940 or visit www.kidneywales.com. For more information about the charity’s organ donation campaign Save Sian visit www.donatewales.org/savesian.