A cycling challenge championed by a Welsh rugby legend promises to be bigger than ever when it hits the road for the fourth time this summer.
Jiffy’s Cancer 50 Challenge, spearheaded by former rugby union and rugby league star Jonathan “Jiffy” Davies, has raised many thousands of pounds for the cancer centres at Velindre and Singleton hospitals.
Last year an amazing 600 cyclists took part – the biggest turn-out yet for the hugely popular event.
And the hope is that this record will be broken again for the 2024 event, which will take place on Sunday, August 18th.
Entries are now open for the 50-mile ride, which will set out from Cardiff City Stadium and finish at the Lighthouse restaurant in Swansea’s Bracelet Bay.
Jiffy said: “I’m delighted that my Cancer 50 bike ride is back for another year! This event, and the charities it supports, are very close to my heart.
“I need your help to raise as much as possible and help improve cancer services.
“Join me for this great ride connecting these two incredible cancer hospitals in our collective tackling cancer in South and West Wales.”
Last year’s third annual challenge raised £55,963.75, divided equally between the two charities.
The hope is that the 2024 challenge will take the total raised over four years past the £250,000 mark.
For the first time, Velindre and the South West Wales Cancer Fund are managing the event directly to ensure as much as possible is raised.
The challenge is being facilitated by Amigos Events Management, a Carmarthenshire-based, not-for-profit organisation with a strong track record in running similar charity events.
Meanwhile, building and civil engineering company Scott has come on board again as headline event sponsor.
Cyclists will pay a £100 entry fee, which includes a cycle shirt with an eye-catching new design, a goody bag and medal. All participants are encouraged to raise as much as possible for the charities.
“Here at Velindre we are proud to be joining our Charity President, Jonathan Davies, in this epic cycling event for its fourth year,” said Charity Director Paul Wilkins.
“This event now a staple in our fundraising calendar that we look forward to every year. It welcomes cyclists of all abilities and is a great day to support the incredible work here at our cancer centre and the cancer centre at Singleton Hospital.
“At Velindre, we use fundraising from this event to fund a range of roles, projects and services at the cancer centre, including specialist nurses, research into new treatments and patient support services.
“Your fundraising truly makes a difference and helps us provide above and beyond support for patients and their families in Wales.”
Sarah Gwynne, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at the South West Wales Cancer Centre, said: “All the money raised from this event goes into funding our programme of radiotherapy research fellows.
“These are senior trainees who take one or two years out of training to do research, one of whom has taken part in the last two races.
“Work done by these individuals, under the supervision of Swansea consultants, working with partners around the UK, has supported a range of developments using radiotherapy to treat cancer, locally and UK-wide.
“These advances aim to improve outcomes by being more effective at killing cancer cells, but also minimising the side effects of treatment. We could not do this work without your support and are very grateful.”
To find out more and sign up for the 2024 Jiffy’s Cancer 50 Challenge, click here.
