Keating steps out with a group of volunteers

Pop star Ronan Keating has swapped his microphone for his walking boots to lead a marathon 420-mile charity trek across Ireland.

The former Boyzone singer set off from the world renowned Giant's Causeway on the County Antrim coast at the weekend and hopes to arrive in Kinsale, County Cork, by 8 June.

The Irish singer and a team of volunteers are stepping out in aid of two cancer charities, Action Cancer and the Marie Keating Foundation.

The foundation was set up by the Keating family following the death of their mother, Marie, from from breast cancer five years ago.

Three years ago, the foundation provided three cancer information and awareness units which have visited more than 750 towns, cities and corporate sites on the island.

Despite the rain and sore feet, the Irish singer said the walk was going well.

"We're in great form, we're in very high spirits and feeling good," he told BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback programme on Monday.

"I thought it was something different, something that people would not expect you to do, that would make people dig deep. That's why I came up with the idea for the walk."

The singer said he had been moved by some of the stories from those who joined him along the way.

"The stories that I hear on the road, people walking with me, telling me about their parents, about their children, it breaks your heart. It's nice to think we're out trying to make a difference."

And despite being a huge star, the father-of-two said he wanted to give something back to society.

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"We're just human beings, we're normal people," he said.

"We have a voice you know. We're lucky enough that people sometimes listen and I think it's our duty to give back with that voice, we need to give back for the amount that we receive, the life that we have."

To prepare for the 20-mile a day hike, Keating has trained regularly for a month and said he was ready for the challenge.

Ronan in his more familiar role

He also praised the support from hotels and guesthouses which had offered to put the team up for free during the walk.

At the weekend, Ronan's sister, Linda Keating, said they hoped to raise up to �100,000.

She said that despite heavy rain along the route, the public response had been fantastic.

"It's going really well. Morale is great and the weather isn't putting them back. The response is phenomenal," she added.

All money raised in Northern Ireland will go to Action Cancer while funds collected in the Irish Republic would go to the foundation.

"The money will go towards maintaining our units," said Linda. "We aren't government-funded so we depend on public donations and sponsorship."