AMMANFORD Mayor Irena Hopkins has called on the people of the Amman Valley to give up their Sunday morning lie-in on March 11 to join the annual Transplant Walk for Life.

The mayor launched preparations for the 20th walk earlier this month and will lead participants from the Scout Hall, in Manor Road, Ammanford, at 10.30am.

The five-mile family fun walk will continue through the town and out into the countryside.

Maureen Coombe, who has helped organise the event, said: "Last year 240 people walked, raising £11,658, with a further £3,000 given to Kidney Wales Foundation later in the year."

Over 50 towns and villages will be walking at the same time - to raise funds for improved patient care and research in the Institute of Nephrology at the University of Wales College of Medicine.

"With over 1,000 people receiving dialysis treatment in Wales and over 600 of these in desperate need of a kidney transplant, the Ammanford and District Kidney Wales Committee are hoping the walk will be bigger and better than ever," said Mrs Coombe.

"Among the walkers will be patients who have to spend hours on kidney machines receiving dialysis treatment, as well as some who have had successful transplants."

Sponsor forms and more information can be obtained from the Guardian Office, the Brynteg Surgery, in Brynmawr Avenue, Ammanford, Tracy's Hairdressers, in Tycroes, Mayor Irena Hopkins or any of the committee members.