TWO former PE teachers from Brecon and Radnorshire will be cycling in the televised Prudential Ride London100 on Sunday, July 30 for Macmillan Cancer.
Bob Davies, 65, from Newbridge and Dai Davies, 57, from Llandrindod Wells will be participating in the race in memory of Bob’s late wife, Maureen, and following Dai’s recovery from a rare form of eye cancer which he was diagnosed with four years ago.
Maureen was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and received a full mastectomy and chemotherapy. After a period of 10 years during which she thought she was clear, the cancer came back and spread to her spine. She lost her battle with the disease on February 7 this year at St Michael’s Hospice, Hereford.
Dai received a life-saving operation in Liverpool after a routine appointment with his GP turned into an emergency hospital appointment in Hereford due to a tumour in his left eye. The 100-mile race will be especially tough for the men as they both suffer with arthritic knee conditions. However, they are determined to reach their fundraising target of £2,000. They have been training hard and have already managed to ride 70 miles on one training ride.
The ride, in which 30,000 cyclists will take part, will start at the Olympic Stadium and go through the Surrey countryside before finishing in The Mall in London.
Bob and Dai are also thankful to Arwyn Williams, another former PE teacher, and Elin Wozencraft, a close friend of Bob’s wife Maureen, for their help with the fundraising project. When asked about their pre-ride feelings, Dai said: “We’re obviously nervous but also excited. We’re worried because of our knees and our age, we really want to finish the ride. So far we’ve raised £15,000 of our target, and we’ve just been stunned by the generosity of the people who have donated.”
Bob said: “We’re doing it for Macmillan because they were so supportive of both of us.”
Donate to Bob and Dai’s JustGiving page at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/go4mo.