Team of cyclists complete Cardiff to Edinburgh ride to raise money for charities

The marathon bike ride was organised to raise vital funds for two South Wales-based charities, the Velindre Cancer Centre and LATCH, the Welsh children’s cancer charity.

The ride saw the team call at Ludlow, Warrington, Kendal and Lockerbie before the final 109 km stretch into Edinburgh.

Ride organiser, Nick Robbins says: “This has been an utterly incredible experience. We’ve had nearly all conditions, in nearly all weathers, over the last five days but I’ve been so impressed with the commitment and enthusiasm of the team who have just kept going.

“It’s been hard, and we’ve encountered all sorts from sheep on the road to umpteen punctures. But knowing we’d beaten our £50,000 fundraising target just before we set off gave everyone a huge boost and some much-needed encouragement before we departed Cardiff Castle.

“And the fantastic news is that we’ve continued to add to that total over the last few days and we’re looking forward to handing the money over to Velindre and LATCH as soon as we get back to Wales.”

On Tuesday the starting klaxon was fired by ten year old Hywel Evans whose father, Matt, led the first group out of Cardiff Castle.

In June 2020, Hywel’s younger brother, Rhys, seven, was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia, a rare blood disorder that prevents the body producing enough new blood cells. Just four weeks after the diagnosis Rhys passed away but the children’s cancer charity, LATCH, was there by the family’s side throughout the harrowing ordeal.

Matt says: “LATCH was there for us throughout the most traumatic period in our family life and they continue to support us even today. It is one thing to see this happen to others, but it is not until it affects you directly that you realise what an incredible job these people do.

“The last five days have been remarkable. When Hywel fired the starting klaxon and we set off it was, without doubt, incredibly moving. It’s been a tough ride but the support we had from family and friends as we set off in Cardiff, and the people who’ve cheered us on along the way, has really helped us all complete this momentous challenge.”

C2Cycling is a group of 28 keen cyclists and support crew, from across South Wales, who have come together every two years since 2015 to complete gruelling long distance rides from Cardiff to Paris for charity. Due to Covid restrictions, the 2021 ride was arranged for this year and planned for the UK.

For more information on the ride you can visit www.c2cycling.co.uk or log on to https://www.sponsorme.co.uk/c2cycling/c2e22.aspx to make a direct donation.