Chris forecasts an interesting trek (From Barry And District News)

Chris forecasts an interesting trek

SULLY-based S4C weatherman Chris Jones is flying to Beijing, to take part in a sponsored walk along the Great Wall of China for the National Children's Home charity (NCH).

Chris was invited along by fellow weather presenter Sian Lloyd and will join other celebrities and Met Office forecasters on the last leg of the 4,000-mile long Great Wall.

NCH hopes to raise more than £2m from the walk, to help support the work of its 500 different projects throughout the UK.

Chris is no stranger to challenges. Last year, he helped organise S4C's sponsored walk in aid of children's hospices Ty Hafan and Ty Gobaith, from North Wales to Sully and in 2000 he walked more than 150 miles in Southern Chile.

He said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to see one of the wonders of the world and raise money for a worthwhile charity at the same time. I was always going to say 'yes' to Sin - after I asked my wife!

"I've been training, but although the walk isn't that long, it will be quite tough as it's very hilly and steep in places. I've checked out the long-term forecast and the weather should be pretty good, though. It'll be sunny during the day and warmer than it is here - but it will get cold at night.

"I'll be keeping a written and a video diary of my time out there.

"I've had fantastic sponsorship and support from HSBC, Ty Nant, Mr Flag.com, Specsavers, Millets, Elgin Communications and First Western Trains. My main sponsor is an investment company - Alchemy Capital Ltd - which is based in Shanghai and whose MD is Welsh.

"The only thing I'm not looking forward to is not seeing my wife and children for 10 days, and reading my youngest daughter, Lily, a bedtime story. "

There will be regular trek updates on the S4C website.