Beefy is leading the hospital campaign

The nine-day walk, which begins on Friday 19 April, aims to raise vital funds for a new Children's Hospital for Wales.

Charity patron Church is also due to attend, and perform at, a gala fundraising dinner at Sophia Gardens on the Saturday night after the walk finishes.

Zeta Jones is also expected at the dinner, which is being hosted by Cardiff Lord Mayor Russell Goodway.

The Noah's Ark Appeal launched in 2000 with the aim of raising �5m to build the first phase of a �21m paediatric care unit in the capital.

Ian Botham's 229-mile walk hopes to raise �250,000 towards the hospital project.

"We are expecting thousands of walkers to join us on the Lord Mayor's Walk from the Oval Basin in Cardiff Bay, where family entertainment will follow the official end of the walk," said Botham.

Swansea-born Zeta Jones, 32, is flying home especially to back his fundraising efforts.

"I am thrilled to be able to play a small part in celebrating the completion of his trek across Wales which has been so well supported by so many people across the country," said Zeta Jones.

Insufficient facilities

Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust has already provided the site and infrastructure and the Welsh Assembly has pledged an extra �4.5m on completion of phase one.

Relatives of some young patients have claimed paediatric facilities at the University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff are insufficient.

They kick-started the campaign to create a dedicated, 50-bed centre with two wards and a child-friendly warmth.

Wales is the only European country not to have such a hospital dedicated to treating sick children.