**Welsh Charity Walker Hospitalised After Gruelling Coastal Challenge Leaves Feet in Agony**
A Llanelli man’s bid to raise awareness of food poverty has taken a harrowing turn after a punishing charity walk along the Welsh coast left him hospitalised with severe injuries to his feet.
Kian Di Salvo, aged 24 and hailing from Felinfoel, set off on the ambitious task of traversing the entire 890-mile Wales Coast Path in support of FareShare Cymru, a charity tackling hunger and food waste. What began as a determined journey of goodwill has quickly become a daunting test of both physical endurance and resilience in the face of adversity.
Kian’s trek started in Chester on 2 June, his sights set on circling the nation’s dramatic shoreline while aiming to raise £5 for each mile completed. But just days into the expedition, physical complications began to surface. After only three days of relentless walking, his feet started blistering severely — a warning sign that soon developed into a more painful ordeal.
“It was incredibly tough,” Kian recounted. “Within the first 11 days, my feet were in such a bad state with blisters and torn skin that I had no option but to head home and get checked in at hospital.” Medical staff were concerned by the extent of the injuries, which left skin peeled off much of his feet, forcing him to pause the charity mission for a recovery period.
After ten days spent recuperating, Kian resumed the journey. This time, he adapted his strategy, alternating between barefoot segments and wearing shoes based on the differing surfaces he encountered — from tarmac to roadside stretches. Around Anglesey, he managed an impressive 31 miles without footwear, hoping that this approach would relieve some discomfort.
However, adversity struck again as Kian began the next phase around the Llyn Peninsula. “I developed intense, shooting pains in my chest and had to stop again to seek medical advice,” he explained. Still awaiting further tests, and facing a potential six to seven-week wait for answers, his doctors have informed him that continuing the walk is permissible, provided he listens to his body’s signals.
The physical hardship has been worsened by psychological strains. “The first three days were brutal. Blisters, swelling, and walking on damaged feet — it took everything not to give up,” Kian admitted. The initial sparse fundraising response also left him questioning the walk’s impact, compounding his difficulties.
Despite these hurdles, Kian has found encouragement in the generosity of strangers met along the way — whether through sharing a meal, offering moral support, or helping with logistics. “It’s been humbling to see people I’ve never met before go out of their way to help. That human kindness has kept me motivated,” he said.
He remains steadfast in his message that the cause is far bigger than his personal struggles. “The urgent need for the work that FareShare Cymru does outweighs my own discomfort. I made a public commitment to this challenge, and I feel a responsibility to carry on, no matter how tough it gets. The support from my family and the community reminds me why I started,” said Kian.
The journey so far has cost Kian twice the amount he’s managed to raise, but he’s hopeful that renewed attention and public support will help him reach his goal. He’s urging the public to not just donate, but to join the conversation about food poverty, share their own stories, or even meet him for a coffee along the trail.
“This is about bringing people together to tackle hardship and food insecurity — even just through open and supportive chats. Community matters, and every little helps,” Kian concluded.
Donations to Kian’s charity walk can be made online. Every contribution supports the mission to fight hunger and food waste across Wales.