Fundraising Double Effort from Ian Jones
Charity supporter Ian Jones from Anglesey has gone the extra mile to raise funds for North West Cancer Research, among a handful of other local non-profit organisations, in a two-part charity challenge.
The first challenge Ian set himself involved a mammoth one day, 120-mile cycle from his home in Brynteg, Anglesey to Pontrhydfendigaid, Ceredigion.
Battling tough terrain and the elements along the way Ian found himself soaked through for most of his journey but persevered with the support of his wife, Rhian and their children Gwion and Siwan, as they cheered him on along the route and made sure to stop with Ian for a ‘re-fuel’ and some words of encouragement.
After an early 8am start, Ian’s cycle drew to a close at 5pm in Pontrhydfendigaid, as he prepared for the second leg of his charity challenge, taking to the stage with the rest of his bandmates from ‘Band 6’ for a special anniversary charity gig at local venue, the Pavilion, with the event gaining some media attention, with coverage on Welsh channel S4C and Radio Cymru.
Ian’s challenge managed to raise a whopping £1,035 for his chosen charities, exceeding his original target of £600. Ian said of his mammoth day: “Before taking on this challenge I hadn’t cycled in over ten years. Now, with training I’ve clocked over 1500 miles in the past year – and I’m still going!
“I was able to get a great hybrid bike on my employer’s Cycle2Work scheme, and the health benefits have been amazing, while supporting local causes that the band really cares about. NWCR was a personal choice for me after my father sadly passed from the disease.
“As a science teacher I can appreciate the need for research and the tireless efforts of the scientists and doctors that turn science into treatments.”