The sister of former Welsh rugby captain Dan Biggar will make a splash by undertaking a waterfall walk this weekend in aid of Bowel Cancer UK.

Rachael Mathias, 38, from Riverside in Cardiff, will take part in the charity’s Waterfalls Walk fundraising challenge, joining the charity on a nine-mile guided walk of the Brecon Beacons this Saturday, October 25 with her friends Alice Viles and Hannah Star.

Rachel is taking part in the walk in honour of her and the former fly half Dan’s parents after the pair lost their mother to ovarian cancer in 2021 and their dad was diagnosed with bowel cancer earlier this year.

All funds raised by Rachel will go towards supporting Bowel Cancer UK’s work to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer.

At the time of writing, Rachel has raised more than £325 for the charity, with her employers RBC Brewin Dolphin set to match fund at least another £250.

“My dad was diagnosed at the end of May this year, and my parents are both from the Brecon Beacons area, so I wanted to support the Waterfalls Walk,” Rachel said.

“We’re walking nine miles on Saturday. It’s obviously going to rain, but we’ll wear layers – it’s fine!

“I thought it’d be something positive to do and a way to channel that grief. We can’t really do anything about what’s happened, but we can try to make a bit of light in the darkness.”

Rachel’s mum Liz sadly died of ovarian cancer in 2021 aged 66, while Rachel’s dad, 71, John, is recovering from treatment for bowel cancer, having undergone major surgery in September which removed 75 per cent of his colon.

While Liz didn’t develop bowel cancer, she did have a stoma and spent the last days of her life on a ward with other bowel cancer patients, giving the family some insight of what they can experience.

Thankfully, John’s cancer was identified early, and his surgery was a success. However, his long-term prognosis is unclear, making it an anxious time for the Biggar family.

This isn’t Rachel’s first event in aid of Bowel Cancer UK. She previously ran the Cardiff Half Marathon for the charity and took part in its ‘Sunset Treks’ around Rhossili Beach in the Gower Peninsula in 2022 and 2023.

Rachel has previously also helped arrange a sponsored dinner in Cardiff where Dan was a guest speaker, which raised thousands of pounds more for the charity.

“My dad’s got an appointment in November to see the consultant and have some scans to decide what will happen next,” Rachel added.

“He’s never been ill really and didn’t have any of the usual symptoms of bowel cancer, so it’s definitely knocked him back a bit.

“If bowel cancer is found early, then your chances of surviving are much better than some other cancers. In the early stages it is so treatable, so ideally you want to see everyone who’s diagnosed at that stage surviving it.

“Now I’ve got that direct connection to bowel cancer through my dad, it’s become even more of a motivator for me to raise awareness of it and encourage people to get checked out. It would be so great if my dad can get through his illness, and an example of the good that can happen if this cancer is found and treated early.”

Michael Locke, Wales Fundraising Manager for Bowel Cancer UK, said: "We’re incredibly grateful to Rachel for taking part in our Waterfalls Walk and raising more vital funds for Bowel Cancer UK.

"Nearly 2,400 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in Wales, making it Wales' fourth most common cancer. The money Rachel has raised will help us continue to raise awareness of the disease and its symptoms, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, fund vital research, and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care.

"We hope that the Biggar family know the difference that their support will make. Every step Rachel and her friends take on their walk will help pave the way towards a future where nobody dies of bowel cancer.”

You can support Rachel and donate to Bowel Cancer UK by visiting her fundraising page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/rachelhannahalicewaterfallwalk

Feeling inspired? Take on your own fundraising challenge for Bowel Cancer UK: https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/fundraising/