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A 14-year-old rugby player has raised more than £2,000 for a charity close to his heart after tackling a gruelling 107-mile (172km) cycle ride.

Billy Newton, from Llanbradach, cycled from Cardiff to Tenby last month as part of the Carten 100 event, raising money for Noah’s Ark Charity.

Two-thousand cyclists took part in the challenge in 25^oC heat, with Billy one of the youngest riders involved.

Billy, who completed the challenge in nine hours, took part alongside his father, Matt, and uncle, Geraint – with family waiting for them at the finish line.

Among those waiting was Billy’s 11-year-old cousin, Evie, who is a lifelong patient at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales.

Billy’s mother, community councillor Beci Newton, told Caerphilly Observer: “The person most excited to see him was his little cousin Evie, the person who’d inspired him to take part.

“The hospital has saved Evie’s life countless times and Billy has supported the Noah’s Ark Charity many times. But this was his biggest challenge yet.

“Until September Billy had never sat on a road bike. He’s a Caerphilly RFC and Aber Valley Wolves rugby player, so this was a very different type of fitness.

“Broken ribs in a match only a month before nearly meant he wouldn’t ride, but he pushed through the injury and didn’t let anything stop him.”

Waiting at the finishing line while the ride was ongoing was a challenge in itself for Beci: “I was in bits seeing grown adults struggling through it – it was a relief when Billy crossed the line.

“When he arrived there weren’t many people who weren’t moved to see Billy and Evie reunited.”

Beci explained: “They’re very close, they’re more like siblings than cousins.”

She continued: “Billy was exhausted for a few days after, but said he’d like to do it again next year.”

The family celebrated Billy’s achievements with a Chinese takeaway before Billy took a well-earned early night.

Visit the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital website to make a donation to the charity.