Recently, the ex-Tenby lifeboat RFA Sir Galahad, which is now privately owned, took a significant part in the charity fundraising relay Walk on Wales which started at the Senate building in Cardiff Bay on August 15 and ends there on November 2. It was used to transport a specially commissioned silver baton across the Menai Straight from Bangor to Beaumaris where it was then passed on to the team of walkers for their onward trek around Anglesey.

The Tyne class lifeboat, originally based at Tenby RNLI station from 1986 to 2007, is privately owned by lifeboat enthusiast Mr. Geoff Williams, who lives near Oswestry, but keeps the boat moored at Port Penrhyn. He previously owned the old Mumbles lifeboat and had his name down as potential buyer for a Tyne class boat when one came up for disposal, so when he learned that the Sir Galahad had been decommissioned and put on the disposal list by the RNLI, he promptly offered to buy it, but was refused as it was earmarked to go to China, to where most other Tyne class boats had been sold. Eventually, however, he was contacted by the RNLI who, having reconsidered his offer, had decided to allow him to purchase the boat on condition that it was paid for within seven days, which he managed with much anxiety getting the finance available at such short notice.

Tenby resident Ray Poole, whose son Welsh Guardsman Gareth lost his life when the Royal Fleet Auxiliary logistics landing ship Sir Galahad was bombed during the Falklands conflict in 1982, took an active interest in the impending destination of the lifeboat and was informed by the RNLI of its sale. He subsequently got in touch with Mr. Williams and has been an acquaintance ever since, with the promise of a sea trip whenever in North Wales.

When the Walk on Wales was initiated, he approached both its organisers and Mr. Williams of the prospect of carrying the baton across the Menai Straight on the lifeboat. He also contacted Captain Philip Roberts DSO RFA Retd, the Commander of the LSL Sir Galahad in the Falklands, who had been so instrumental in setting-up the initial fund to pay for the lifeboat, with a view him also being present on the occasion.

There was agreement all round and the result was a memorable trip across the Straight in perfect weather, which concluded with the transfer of the baton on Beaumaris Pier to the walking party who had set off from Menai Bridge earlier in the day. Ray passed the baton on to walker, veteran Welsh Guard Wayne Trigg, who had suffered severe burn injuries during the bombing attack and had also endured extreme PTSD as a result of his suffering and the flashbacks of the horrific scenes at that tragic moment.

At the very heart of the 870-mile walk around the coastal path of Wales is the silver baton which is inscribed with the names of the 50 Welsh Guardsmen who have given their lives in active service since the Second World War, which represents one guardsman for every 17 miles of the walk, and it also conceals a scroll which commemorates eight soldiers from other regiments who were attached to the Welsh Guards at the time.

The entire event was certainly an unforgettable and moving experience which hopefully, will similarly be reproduced when the Walk on Wales walkers reach Tenby on October 17 and visit the new lifeboat house for quiet reflection at the Sir Galahad memorial plaque.

The walkers will be doing approximately 15 miles each day along the coastal path in all weathers with each team walking for six consecutive days then one rest day when another team takes over, although there is a team of four individuals, including a widow of a Welsh guard killed in Afghanistan, walking the entire 870 miles. There is also a group of eight present day Welsh Guards walking and they are also joined on each of the days, all of which are individually dedicated to a Welsh Guard inscribed on the baton, by many sponsored walkers doing just one or a couple of days and these include family members and friends of these servicemen. The day of the walk from Freshwater East to Saundersfoot which passes through Tenby is dedicated to Ray's son.

The aim of the walk is to raise £1million through sponsorship of the walkers, which will be split equally between the Welsh Guards Afganistan Appeal, designed to support all those who have been affected by their wounds or mental trauma whilst serving there, and Combat Stress, the UK's leading military charity specialising in the free care of veterans' mental health by either 24-hour helpline, community outreach service or specialist clinical care.

The Walk on Wales ambition is to generate extensive grass roots support since it will be the walkers who will provide the main contribution to reaching the fundraising target, and as the coastal path is accessible to everyone there is a section suitable to all needs. To find out more about this venture, just visit http://www.walkonwales.org">www.walkonwales.org where anyone interested in joining the walk and raising some much needed money for this cause can click the necessary buttons to read more about it and register to join us.

Come on, say to yourself 'I Can Do It' - you won't regret it and you certainly won't forget the walk along the beautiful Pembrokeshire Coastal Path or experiencing the comradeship of the past and present Welsh Guardsmen walking along with you.