A CHARITY pilgrimage through the Teifi Valley and north Pembrokeshire has raised more than £4,000.

Matthew Parsons of Cambridgeshire walked more than 280miles in 16 days, and completed his challenge last month, having lost a stone and gained a beard.

Matthew’s unique welsh medieval pilgrimage was in memory of his mother, Maureen Parsons, who died from cancer in 2012 and aimed to raise money for the Sue Ryder charity.

He said: “On the whole the weather was in my favour with only a couple of bad days. If the weather had been poor throughout the journey, it would have been so much more difficult. How pilgrims made this journey during the medieval ages is beyond belief. You can see why so many pilgrims lost their lives and never made it all the way to St Davids. It must have absolutely terrifying and very difficult for them.”

Matthew raised nearly £4,000 (including gift aid), which is still increasing daily.To donate visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MatthewParsonsPilgrimage.