Bethan Scott to take on 500km cycle in memory of husband
Bethan will be joined by fellow fundraisers Roman Mach and Helen Massey, who she met during previous charity treks and cycles in support of Nightingale House Hospice.
Helen Massey, Roman Mach and Bethan Scott. (Image: Nightingale House Hospice) The trio will start their journey in Croydon, riding to Dover before crossing the Channel to Calais. Once in France, they'll cycle through picturesque countryside, historic market towns and the poignant war memorials of the Somme, before arriving in Paris via the Champs-Élysées and finishing at the iconic Eiffel Tower.
This incredible ride is just one of many challenges Bethan has completed around the world since she began fundraising in Dave's memory following his passing in 2017.
Her efforts have already raised over £180,000 for Dave's chosen charities Alzheimer's Research and Cancer Research UK, including £160,000 for Nightingale House Hospice, the place that provided care and support for him and his family.
Bethan said: 'The hospice will always be central to my fundraising.
Dave Scott (Image: Nightingale House Hospice)'I've seen first-hand the incredible care they gave to Dave and our family.
"I've made it my mission to raise £1 million in his name and this year I'm aiming to reach my next milestone of £200,000.'
Bethan is grateful to have the backing of three generous sponsors for the London to Paris ride. The ASH Group, SPEN and The Pencilcraftsman have all come forward to support the challenge.
Following the London to Paris cycle, Bethan and Roman will head straight into another international challenge in October, taking on the Spanish Three Peaks in Sierra Nevada National Park, tackling Alcazaba, Veleta and Mulhacén (mainland Spain's highest peak) over three gruelling days.
The Spanish trek will mark Bethan's 10th international challenge, adding to an impressive list that includes the Inca Trail in Peru, Mount Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp, the Great Wall of China, the Alps, Camino de Santiago, mountains of Croatia, Mount Toubkal and cycling from Vietnam to Cambodia and Milan to Venice.
In 2024, Bethan and the Everest Base Camp team and Dave's Memory Walking Group, who walked from Llandudno to Wrexham, raised almost £20,000 for Nightingale House Hospice, and she continues to be overwhelmed by the support of her fellow fundraisers. Helen Massey is also planning to take on the Welsh 3000s challenge this year to support Bethan's fundraising total.
MOST READ:
3 'must visit' seaside fish and chip shops in North Wales named among UK's best
New gastro pub and restaurant opens its doors in Wrexham
Over 25's nightclub set to open its doors in Wrexham city centre
So far this year, Bethan has raised over £6,000 and is hoping a packed calendar of events will help her reach £20,000 by the end of 2025, bringing her overall fundraising total to £200,000.
Bethan added: 'Every step, every pedal, and every summit is for Dave.
'I promised I'd keep going, and I will, not just for him, but for the hospice and for everyone who needs their care.'
To follow Bethan's journey or support her fundraising, visit: bit.ly/Challenge-2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Marcus Rashford gets into the action on Barcelona debut as he comes on at half time – but gets subbed after 33 minutes
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MARCUS Rashford gets into the action on his Barcelona debut yesterday — after coming out at half-time for just 33 minutes. The Three Lions striker, on a season-long loan from Man Utd, became the first Englishman to play for the Spanish giants since Gary Lineker between 1986 and 1989. 3 Marcus Rashford takes a shot at goal on his Barcelona debut 3 The Three Lions striker is on a season-long loan from Man Utd Credit: Getty 3 He is the first Englishman to play for the Spanish giants since Gary Lineker Credit: Getty Legend Lineker said: 'I expect Marcus will do well.' Rashford, 27, helped Barca to a 3-1 victory in a friendly in Japan against local team Vissel Kobe. We recently revealed how Rashford has has rekindled his relationship with former fiancée Lucia Loi. She was with him when he signed for FC Barcelona. The Three Lions ace, 27, and childhood sweetheart Lucia, 26, were together during a photoshoot before he was unveiled as the Catalan giants' latest signing at the Camp Nou stadium. She took his photo, then moved behind him to take another and seemingly checked his shirt before the Man United exile posed beside a traditional red British phone box. Rashford was later seen emerging from the kiosk in a post on FC Barcelona's social media, captioned: 'Hello? Barca? For sure, I'm coming.' The Sun understands that Rashford has asked calming influence Lucia, who works in PR, to help him settle in to life in Spain so he can focus on his football. But they were not seen together until they were unwittingly snapped preparing for his phone box stunt. A source said the pair have stayed close, despite their 2022 engagement fizzling out, and have grown close again of late.
Belfast Telegraph
8 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Cheers, beers and Spanish tears at Belfast gathering for Euro final: ‘Hopefully this encourages more women'
For three hours this afternoon, The American Bar in Belfast's Sailortown could have been renamed The Spaniard, such was the support for the World Cup holders from the players at Belfast Ravens as they took on England in the Women's Euro Final at a watch-a-long party. The majority at the gathering — which started in the neighbouring Seatons as Kerry hadn't quite wrapped up their All-Ireland win as the Euro football final kicked off — were leaning in the Spanish direction. But it wasn't through a fervent anti-English sentiment. Belfast Ravens has a strong Spanish influence running through its ranks. Perhaps the largest women's football club in Ireland, the Ravens have three teams playing across the NIWFA divisions. The manager of their second team is Clara Alvarez. That her little boy Charlie has turned out in his Real Oviedo shirt gives the game away — she's from the Spanish city. Clara had just led her Ravens to a 3-0 away win at First Bangor Women earlier in the day. She turned up hoping for a double celebration — but in the end of a dramatic final in Basel it was the words of her teammate Megan Ferguson that proved prophetic. As Spain took a first-half lead, England-supporting Megan said: 'I'm not worried yet. We always go behind. We have Chloe Kelly to come on. She'll win it for us.' Just before 8pm that same Chloe Kelly slammed home the winning penalty in a shootout as England won the Euros again, after their success at Wembley three years ago. The full 120 minutes failed to separate the two dominant forces in the women's international game after a 1-1 draw. Clara, along with her partner Marty Cauley, are a driving force behind the Ravens club, set up just eight years ago by David O'Reilly. 'Honestly, I'd never properly kicked a football until eight years ago, but everybody in Spain loves football,' she said. Having been with Belfast Ravens since the early days, she has seen the number of players consistently rise. 'We're up to 45 regulars and there are more mums who might have other commitments a lot of the time, but overall we're about 60 strong in numbers,' she said. 'We all love it,' she said. 'It's not just the football, it's everything that comes with it, the sport, the friendships we have formed.' David O'Reilly was the initial driving force behind the club, having encouraged his wife to bring some friends along for a kick-about back in 2017. 'It wasn't much more than that back then,' he said. 'It was just for fun, but it quickly took off and while much of what we do is still informal, we do like the social side, the friendship and the going for a drink after the match, we still have a very competitive edge. 'That we're now in a position to field three teams in the NIWFA leagues shows just how strong the sport is becoming. Even five years ago there was little TV coverage. But it has really taken off.' Northern Ireland's success in reaching the Euro finals three years ago was a real boost for the sport in the country. There are now nine divisions, featuring 70 teams, as the strength of women's football grows stronger every year. 'Watching the Euros in 2022 really got me into it,' said Megan Ferguson, proudly wearing her England shirt amongst a majority of Spanish red. 'I did grow up in a family full of Liverpool fans, but it never used to be something girls really played much. It was netball for me for a long time. I'm still a Liverpool fan in the men's game, but it's Arsenal Women for me in the WSL. 'I only joined the Ravens in January, but I've been to an Arsenal Women's match, and was part of the biggest ever WSL crowd. 'My granddad was brought up in England so I've been supporting them.' For Louise Boyle though, a right winger with the Ravens first team, there was an extra reason to support Spain in the final — her boyfriend Miguel Martin is from Madrid. They both sported Spanish tops for the final. Louise had the full Euros experience following Northern Ireland in Southampton three years ago when they qualified for the previous tournament. 'It seems to be even bigger this time round,' she said. 'It's wonderful to see the recognition the women's game is now getting. 'It was the last Euros that got me into the sport,' she said. 'I know Northern Ireland weren't there this time round, but with all the games being live on the main television channels, it's been brilliant to watch.' Several of the Ravens players were actually in Switzerland last week, with Lisa Black and Caiti McCloskey among those who attended all four quarter-finals in a whistle-stop tour of the country. 'The Switzerland against Spain game was a great one to be at, because of the support for the home nation,' said Caiti. 'But the Swedish fans were the best. I think it was the Abba music. 'But it showed us just how big the women's game is. There was free transport to get fans around the country, the crowds were fabulous, the TV coverage was wonderful. 'Hopefully, seeing these matches on television will only encourage more women to get involved.'
Powys County Times
8 hours ago
- Powys County Times
England retain European crown with penalty shootout victory over Spain
Substitute Chloe Kelly fired in the winning penalty as England completed another spectacular shootout comeback to defend their title and beat world champions Spain 3-1 on penalties in the Euro 2025 final. The Lionesses came back twice to reach the decider in Basel and book this revenge mission against the same side who beat them at the 2023 World Cup in Sydney. And Mariona Caldentey ensured England would need another when she nodded in a 25th-minute opener, cancelled out by her Arsenal team-mate Alessia Russo with a header of her own from Kelly's cross after the break to make it 1-1. History makers. Heroes. CHAMPIONS. — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 27, 2025 Hannah Hampton made two spectacular saves in the shootout before Kelly – who made the difference in extra time at Wembley three summers ago – netted another dramatic winner after Salma Paralluelo's miss. Lauren James was deemed fit enough to start after coming off at half-time of England's semi-final comeback over Italy with an ankle issue, while Jess Carter returned to the defence in place of Esme Morgan. Lucy Bronze overtook Jill Scott to become the Lionesses' all-time appearance leader in major tournaments, featuring – and starting – for a 36th time. England had a chance to take an early lead when Russo, released on the right, forced Cata Coll into a save, and James could not connect when the rebound returned in her direction. England keeper Hampton's big block denied Esther Gonzalez, who directed a second effort off-target, before Spain nearly gifted England a huge chance just before the 20-minute mark. Laia Aleixandri was caught sleeping on Coll's pass, allowing Lauren Hemp to intercept and test the Spanish keeper, who stuck out a leg to let Aleixandri off the hook. Spain's patience deep in England's half paid off when Caldentey finally found the back of the net, the opener initially facilitated by Aitana Bonmati winning her battle with Georgia Stanway near the touchline. The back-to-back Ballon d'Or winner then found a composed Athenea del Castillo – earning a start in place of Claudia Pina – who her time before working it to Ona Batlle, whose pinpoint delivery allowed Caldentey to power her header into the top right. Spain were in the driver's seat by the 41st minute when James, who had taken a knock, was replaced by Kelly, who got herself involved immediately with a wide effort. Hampton denied Bonmati, then Caldentey before Russo, sandwiched between two Spain centre-backs, drew the sides level, nodding home another sumptuous cross from Kelly in the 57th minute. Kelly then nearly got herself on the scoresheet with just over 20 minutes remaining, forcing Coll into a low fingertip save. Russo's evening was over two minutes later, replaced by 19-year-old breakout star Michelle Agyemang, and it took a spectacular reaction from Hampton to deny Pina, two minutes after the Spanish substitute's own 71st-minute introduction. A big Carter block denied Paralluelo, who blazed over, and neither side was able to make the difference after 30 minutes. A top-class ball is met by a top-class header 💫 Russo with the equaliser vs Spain! — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 27, 2025 Spain looked likelier to score, first through Pina's curled effort, then Paralluelo came up short in her attempt to cleverly flick in a winner late in the first 15-minute period of extra time. England resolutely defended against more waves of Spanish attack, but their own was found wanting as they looked to avoid another shootout, their hopes kept alive by two more Hampton saves before Vicky Lopez blazed over. Coll picked out Kelly's corner with just under five minutes remaining in extra time, there was another huge Carter intervention to deny Bonmati another chance, and four minutes of stoppage time passed without anyone finding the back of the net. Bronze, who fired in the winning penalty in England's semi-final comeback over Sweden, had been forced off in extra time. Mead found the back of the net with England's first attempt, but was forced to retake it after VAR determined it had been double-hit after the substitute slipped, and was denied by Coll on her second try. Patri Guijarro and Alex Greenwood both converted before Hampton leapt to her left, refusing to let Caldentey beat her again, then kept out Bonmati's effort after Niamh Charles had beaten Coll. Coll kept out captain Leah Williamson's attempt, but Paralluelo's miss opened the door for Kelly – who netted the winner three summers ago. And just like she did three summers ago at Wembley, Kelly stepped up and scored when it mattered most.
