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Twelve men are preparing to cycle, hike, and kayak the length of Wales to raise money for Ty Hafan children’s hospice.

Chris Thomas, from Caerphilly, and James Meacham, from Pontllanfraith, are among those taking part in the Bike Boot Boat challenge, which gets underway on June 27.

The challenge will start on Wales’ north coast, near Conwy – with the group hoping to finish the challenge at Ty Hafan’s base in the Vale of Glamorgan on June 30.

The route will see them cycle off-road, hike miles of mountain trails, and kayak the length of Lake Bala. The estimated distance is more 200 miles, with the team climbing nearly 20,000 feet.   

The group are currently in full training mode ahead of the fundraiser.

Six members of the group, including Chris and James, are bereaved fathers who have first-hand experience of the work carried out by Ty Hafan.

It will be the third extreme challenge carried out by the group to support the charity – with the aim this time to raise £50,000.

So far, more than £24,000 has been raised.

Group member Paul Fears, from Pontypridd, leads the team. He said: “For me, our training sessions highlight what these challenges are all about. In fact, I would say the training days are even more important than the challenge itself.

“All of us who did the cycle stage of this training session have lost children, either as a dad or uncle. 

“We are all continually grieving, irrespective of the years that have passed since our children died. 

“Grief does not leave you. You carry it like a rucksack – and sometimes that rucksack is light and sometimes it is so heavy that you struggle to move. But it is always there. And, in a strange way, you never want to put it down.”

He continued: “Joining other BikeBoatBoot team members on a training walk or cycle ride gives you the opportunity to talk. You can say things and ask questions that would be difficult or even impossible with other people who have not experienced such a loss.”

James Davies-Hale, head of fundraising for Ty Hafan, said: “When a child’s life will be short, no family should have to face it on their own.

“There are 3,000 children in Wales with life shortening conditions and yet we are only able to support one in ten of those families at the moment. 

“I am incredibly grateful to Ryan, Anthony, Chris, Dan, James, Jason, Lee and Laurence, Lloyd, Matthew, Patrick and Paul for what they are all doing for us – not just in terms of training for the challenge and doing the challenge itself, but also for the fundraising that they are doing for us.”

Visit JustGiving to support the fundraising challenge, or visit Facebook to follow the group’s journey.