The ‘mother hen’ of a Powys rugby club is taking on a cycling challenge in order to raise money for a charity close to her heart.

Andrea Rimmer, who is a valued member of the ‘Trefy Family’ at Tref-y-Clawdd RFC in Knighton, is getting on her bike to ride 300 miles during June.

£300 was the earmarked figure but after two weeks on the bike, donations have gone through the roof and the fundraising target has doubled.

Andrea said: “300 miles in June wouldn’t have been a problem for me years ago but I began a very strange hobby of collecting autoimmune diseases, I’m pretty good at it!

“However, it’s absolutely nothing compared to the fight people are facing against cancer.”

All of the money that Andrea raises will go to Cancer Research UK.

Cancer Research UK helps fund scientists, doctors and nurses to help beat cancer sooner. They also provide cancer information to the public.

The charity and the work that they do is a cause that is close to Andrea’s heart, following the loss of a close friend a few years ago, and a family diagnosis close to home at the end of last year.

Andrea said: “I lost one of my best friends a few years ago and at the end of 2020 my Dad was also diagnosed. I thought we were going to lose him just after Christmas.

“Fortunately with a fairly new medication we will have him for longer and with a good quality of life. I need to pay them back.”

“What they’ve done I will be eternally grateful for. It can’t cure my Dad, but that’s right now, what if that treatment is just around the corner? What if they hadn’t got the medication he’s now on? So many lives are affected by cancer and I’m just glad I can do something to help and that the boys are behind me,” said Andrea.

The rugby club has been incredibly supportive of Andrea and the rugby family has come together to help raise as much money as possible.

A cake sale and raffle is being held in Knighton town centre this Saturday, June 19 to help boost funds.

Andrea will also be at the event this weekend, where she will be cycling on a static bike to add some miles to her tally.