Wales rugby icon Jonathan Davies was joined by over 400 cyclists on an epic bike ride from Cardiff to Swansea on Sunday to help raise funds for Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff and South West Wales Cancer Centre in Swansea. The 'Jiffy Cancer 50 Challenge' is now in its sixth year and is led by former dual-code international and popular TV commentator.
The 56-mile bike ride saw riders set off at Cardiff City Stadium before heading along a scenic route to Bracelet Bay in Swansea. In doing so, they smashed past their £50,000 fundraising target - raising £65,000 for local cancer services. The previous five rides have raised £300,000.
Davies' Remarkable Fundraising Legacy
It's another remarkable achievement for Davies' work with Velindre. Davies first began supporting Velindre back in 2007 as a patron and has since served as president for some time. This year has seen the money he's helped raise with Velindre move past the £60m mark.
"I don't know the exact number now, I do keep getting updated on it," he told WalesOnline this week. "I think we're past £60m which is amazing when you think about it. You see charities doing things on a national level, like Kevin Sinfield with motor neurone disease. We're just doing this for Wales."
"The important thing is that Velindre is for all of Wales. It's not just a south Wales thing. All the people in Wales can use it. To get that amount of money from fundraising, it's an unbelievable thing. I'm extremely proud of it all. It's not me. I'm just leading a team of fantastic fundraisers and it's an absolutely amazing place with fantastic staff."
Alun Wyn Jones Praises Atmosphere
Former Wales rugby captain Alun Wyn Jones, who also completed the ride, praised the atmosphere and the people behind the event. He said: "Everyone was in good spirits. We gathered at Morgan's Hotel. Very grateful they put on a bit of a spread and then we had a police escort to The Lighthouse. I am just pleased to be here to support Velindre and Swansea Bay Cancer Centres but credit to Jiffy for all the work he's done and supporting the charities, and people who have taken part today."
Davies added: "Special thanks to the organisers, the volunteers and more importantly, the cyclists and everyone who has donated. The sponsors Andrew Scott and Uprise Bikes. Please join us next year. We need to raise more and more money for a couple of local cancer charities."
You can donate on the Velindre Cancer Centre Fundraising website.
