Gavin and Stacey star Ifan Huw Dafydd treks hundreds of miles for charity in memory of nephew

An actor who starred in Gavin and Stacey is walking hundreds of miles from France to Spain to raise money for charity, in memory of his beloved nephew.

Ifan Huw Dafydd, who appeared as Nessa’s father, Neil Jenkins, in the BBC sitcom, is walking the 475 miles of the Camino Frances to Santiago de Compostela.

Mr Dafydd’s nephew Rhys Tom, known to many as Twm, was due to run the London Marathon this year to raise money for children’s hospice, Tŷ Hafan.

Twm sadly died at the age of 31 just before he was due to take on the challenge.

Mr Dafydd, 69, told Sky News his nephew was “colourful, likeable and full of life”.

He decided to keep his nephew’s promise by taking on his own challenge to raise money for the charity.

“You know I’ve never been a runner, but definitely not now and I’ll never run again. But I can still walk,” he said.

The proceeds will be shared between Tŷ Hafan and the Jac Lewis Foundation which provides support to families bereaved by suicide.

Thousands of pounds have already been raised for the charities and Mr Dafydd said he would like to thank everyone for their “amazing” support along the journey so far.

“Every time the phone goes with an email from someone who has made a contribution, it gives a boost to the shoes,” he said.

As well as Gavin & Stacey, Ifan Huw Dafydd has also appeared in an episode of Netflix’s The Crown and starred in Welsh-language soap opera Pobol y Cwm.

Having started his walk on 17 August, Mr Dafydd hopes to have completed the trek by the autumn.

“I hope I’ll be back by the beginning of October but I haven’t booked a return ticket,” he said.

“Maybe I’ll have to book a PO box in Santiago for people to send me Christmas cards.”

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Mr Dafydd has been walking in the mornings as after lunchtime the temperature has reached highs of more than 35 degrees Celsisus.

“I wouldn’t like to walk after 12pm, 1pm. By 12.30pm it’s insufferable,” he said.

“I don’t think you’d see a farmer from Ceredigion out in this weather, but to be honest I haven’t seen a Spanish farmer out either.”