Latest news with #Velindre
Wales Online
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
14 images from Jiffy's Cancer 50 Challenge as star does his 'little bit' to help others
Wales rugby icon Jonathan "Jiffy" Davies was accompanied by hundreds of cyclists all coming together to raise money for charity as part of Jiffy's Cancer 50 Challenge 2025. Today - Sunday, August 17 - over 300 riders joined to cycle 50 miles from Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff to Bracelet Bay in Swansea, raising over £40,000 for Velindre Cancer Charity and Swansea Bay Health Charity. Jiffy has been raising money for Velindre since 2007. He was named president of the charity two years later. The annual charity ride took place for the fifth time this year, led by the famous Welsh sportsman. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. This year the challenge was harder for the pundit after he had two operations over the past year. Leading up to the challenge he said: "I've had two operations leading up to it but I'm back on the bike now. I had a knee replacement last September and I had a cage put in my back last December. "The operations went well. "I want to help everyone that's had cancer and I want to help their families who are going through it. "It's a horrible place to be in but hopefully one day all the cancer charities all over the country and the world really if we can find a cure for it that would be the most amazing thing. "We are just doing our little bit really because I know how difficult it is whether it's yourself, family or friends." Here are the best pictures from Jiffy's Cancer 50 Challenge 2025.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Jiffy's most remarkable feat yet as he pieces himself back together for big day
Jiffy's most remarkable feat yet as he pieces himself back together for big day The Wales rugby legend has done an outstanding job as president of Velindre Cancer Charity Jonathan Davies goes again for charity (Image: John Myers) Jonathan "Jiffy" Davies is one of Wales' greatest ever rugby players, but his greatest achievement in life has been his incredible commitment to raising money for Velindre Cancer Charity. It is a cause very close to his heart after his father, Len, and his first wife, Karen, passed away from cancer. It was the contrasting nature of their treatment and his desire to help others which drove the dual-code international to get involved with Velindre. Davies first got involved with Velindre Cancer Charity in 2007 and became a patron before getting promoted to president in 2009. The 62-year-old has overseen, coordinated and participated in numerous fundraising events over the years, raising over £50m for Velindre Cancer Charity. This Sunday Davies will be taking part in his annual 50 mile bike ride which starts at the Cardiff City Stadium and finishes outside Rock restaurant in Swansea. But this year will be a tougher challenge than ever before after a difficult year for the legend following two major surgeries. A full knee replacement back in September was followed by a major back operation that saw him have a metal cage and four screws inserted in his back and left him feeling like he's been "run over by a bus". Pulling out of this event, was never an option though. Article continues below Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "I pinned my hat to Velindre very early on because of the treatment my wife had and how difficult it was for me and my family along with my mother when my dad was being treated in Cambridge," Davies tells WalesOnline. "Sometimes you just take things for granted until somebody gets cancer and then you soon realise how important it is to have something like this on your doorstep. "I've just got to thank everyone who has put money in. "It's an amazing ride and one of many rides people do throughout the year. "It's one of those things where I do my little bit to help and keep it up." Jonathan Davies is raising money for Velindre Cancer Charity (Image: Adrian White Photography) Davies will be joined by over 300 people on the bike ride, including Welsh rugby legends Alun Wyn Jones, James Hook and Dwayne Peel. The well-respected rugby pundit has always put great stock in his fitness but this year will be more challenging than ever, given his inability to prepare as he would wish. "I've had two operations leading up to it but I'm back on the bike now," he said. "I had a knee replacement last September and I had a cage put in my back last December. "The operations went well. "I haven't trained as much as I'd like to but I'm feeling okay. "I've not prepared as well as I'd like to have but I've been on the bike a couple of times around the Gower. "The weather seems to be very hot so it will be tough but it's all about getting the numbers up and raising money for a good cause. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free "My body is alright but I'm not a cyclist. "I'm just going to take my time and enjoy the day. "We've managed to get over 300 people which is great but I'd like to get more than that over the next couple of years if I can. "It's 50-odd miles for us but there's a couple of other stops where you can do less if you want to and join in." Velindre Cancer Charity has been a godsend for those who have suffered with cancer and their families. There is a plan to build a second Velindre Cancer Centre in Coryton and Davies is committed to continue raising money for a cause close to his heart. "Cancer rates are getting worse and worse," he told WalesOnline. "They think it's going to be one in two soon. "It's always creeping up and there are a lot of people I know now currently going through treatment. "I want to help everyone that's had cancer and I want to help their families who are going through it. "It's a horrible place to be in but hopefully one day all the cancer charities all over the country and the world really if we can find a cure for it that would be the most amazing thing. "We are just doing our little bit really because I know how difficult it is whether it's yourself, family or friends. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. "Velindre are amazing. "The staff have been amazing and there's a new hospital opening in 2027. "Hopefully it will be bigger and better. Article continues below "Hopefully we can get people treated a lot better in Wales with better facilities but it is still a horrible disease. "I just raise money and give it to people who know better how to use it. "It's gone towards a lot of research, some outstanding staff and some new equipment."
South Wales Argus
08-08-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Cwmbran man completes 100-mile ultramarathon for Velindre
Paul Mason, 55, from Henllys in Cwmbran, took on the gruelling Rat Race Castle to Castle challenge from Bamburgh to Edinburgh on July 19 in support of Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff. Mr Mason completed the ultramarathon in 31 hours despite facing tough terrain and extreme weather. He said: "I went into this race with the intention of going sub 24 hours but within the first 20 miles, I decided that the main aim was to finish, as the weather and terrain were brutal. "The wind and rain were relentless for over 12 hours, making the going really tough. "I took three big falls, so it was a relief to have two bags at checkpoints further on where I had a change of clothes." This was Mr Mason's second ultramarathon in aid of Velindre, where his father received care during treatment for a non-curable cancer. Last year, he completed The Wall 70-mile Ultra from Carlisle to Newcastle in 14 hours and 43 seconds. His total fundraising now stands at £4,805. Mr Mason described some of the toughest moments of the run. He said: "Running through the night with the head torch was okay – all the company I had was an eclipse of moths and just hearing the waves crashing below. "With 40 miles to go, my feet were in bits. "At 98 miles in and one last climb to go, I'm still figuring out how I managed to get up there. "It was great having the family run with me on that stretch." "I'm really proud I got to the end. "I'm so grateful for the generosity of everyone who has donated to my JustGiving fund. "My motivation for taking on these ultra challenges is to support the incredible work done by Velindre and to give back for the wonderful care they gave to my late dad. "Getting up for all those training runs at 4am in the dark is worth it." Out of 600 runners who started the race, only 350 finished.
Business News Wales
24-04-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Clothing Brand Owner to Cycle Tour de France Distance in Shop
A clothing brand owner is cycling 2,200 miles to support the cancer hospital that cared for his grandmother. Liam Jones, CEO of sustainable independent clothing brand Overseas Apparel, will cycle 160 miles, the distance from Cardiff to London, every day for 14 days to raise money for Velindre and 2wish. The 28-year-old has named the 2,200-mile challenge, which will take place entirely outside his shop in the Morgan Quarter, Cardiff, the Tour de Nowhere and has scheduled it to coincide with the ninth anniversary of his business. A second static bicycle will be placed next to Liam's for anyone to join him to cycle a distance during the challenge between April 29 and May 12. Liam said he was inspired to undertake the challenge for Velindre Cancer Centre, the leading provider of radiotherapy and specialised cancer treatments in Wales, after his grandmother received care at the hospital in 2019. He will also raise money for 2wish, who work to ensure those affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a child or young person receives the bereavement support. Liam has completed a number of other challenges to mark the anniversary of the business he began at 18 years old as part of his art course at Bridgend College. Last year, Liam cycled from John O'Groats to Land's End and back to Cardiff in 22 days but this year wants his challenge to be even bigger. Overseas Apparel will also be releasing a collection of merchandise including a branded T-shirt, tote bag and sticker pack with 100% of profits going to the two charities. 'As a business, I believe it is very important to share a personal connection with customers and our growing community,' Liam said. 'We want to spread the awareness of the incredible work Velindre and 2wish are doing.' Marika Jones, Morgan Quarter centre manager, said: 'We want to congratulate Liam on the ninth anniversary of Overseas Apparel, a hugely valuable member of the independent businesses that make the Morgan Quarter so unique. 'Liam and his team always do such an inspiring job of supporting the causes that mean the most to them while involving the whole community. We look forward to cheering him on as he completes this epic challenge entirely within the walls of Royal Arcade.'
