Former Wales rugby captain, Martyn Williams, was at Cardiff Castle this week to lend his support to a team of amateur cyclists as they launch their fundraising initiative ahead of National Bike Week (30th May – 5th June).
C2Cycling is a group of 27 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.
And with Martyn amongst their keen supporters, the team is now gearing up for a UK-based 600km ride over five days from Cardiff Castle to Edinburgh Castle in April 2022 to raise vital funds for Velindre Cancer Centre and LATCH children’s cancer charity.
Caerphilly-based ride director, Nick Robbins explains: “The launch of the fundraising pack at Cardiff Castle, to coincide with the start of National Bike Week, marks the start of a ten-month long campaign to raise as much money as we can for these two vitally important charities.
“We are calling upon businesses and individuals across Wales to dig deep and support the team. There are opportunities to sponsor an event stage, a jersey or even your favourite rider. Likewise, we are also asking non-cyclists who would like to support the team, but don’t fancy cycling anywhere, to download the fundraising pack from our website and organise one of the many ideas we have in there for people to take part in the fundraising.”
Matt Evans is one of the cyclists who completed two of the previous trips to Paris and is now training ahead of the Cardiff – Edinburgh ride next April. In May 2020 his seven-year-old son, Rhys, was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia, a rare blood disorder that prevents the body producing enough red 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.
“Riding from Cardiff to Edinburgh is going to be a tough challenge both physically and mentally. I’m sure there will be plenty of tears along the way but it will all be worth it if we can reach our target for these fantastic charities.”
Martyn Williams adds: “It’s incredible to see the hard hours of training and commitment the team from C2Cycling is putting into their ride preparation. To see them out riding every day in all weathers, after a full day at work, is awe inspiring and I’m a big supporter of the team and their fundraising.”
The C2Cycling team will be setting off from Cardiff Castle on Tuesday 12 April 2022. To download a copy of the fundraising pack to support the C2Cycling team please visit www.c2cycling.co.uk
