A Blackwood man has his sights firmly set on next year’s Six Nations as he aims to cycle from Cardiff to Dublin to raise money for charity.
James Meacham will be cycling 280 miles in just four days to raise money for children’s hospice Ty Hafan. The end of the epic journey will coincide with Wales’ clash against Ireland in next year’s championship.
James will be riding in memory of his late son, Thomas, who was cared for at Ty Hafan. Thomas died in June this year from an ultra rare genetic condition called Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD).
James explained: “Ty Hafan was there for Thomas every step of the way. The hospice introduced me to support networks and social groups where dads, who were all experiencing similar hardship, could get together and talk.
“It also gave me the opportunity to meet other families who wanted to get involved in challenges to support the hospice together.”
It is not the first cycle challenge for James. He took part in the Six Nations ‘Ride to the Rugby’ from Cardiff to Paris last February and raised more than £6,000.
He will be joined on next year’s challenge with two other Ty Hafan dads, Patrick Lord and Matthew Smith, as well as some friends and family members.
James added: “The ‘Ride to the Rugby’ Paris challenge was such a fantastic experience – it was tough but so rewarding. I made life-long friendships and cycled alongside the likes of [BBC Radio Wales’] Wynne Evans and [former Welsh rugby star] Rupert Moon which, as you can imagine, was a brilliant laugh. I didn’t think twice about signing up again.”
The ‘Ride to the Rugby 2020’ fundraiser will see more than 40 riders take on the cycle challenge setting off from Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in Cardiff on February 4 and arriving at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium in time to watch Ireland kick-off against Wales on February 8.
Ty Hafan is hoping that the challenge will raise around £40,000 which will go towards providing vital services to children and their families.
You can help James and Ty Hafan hit their target by donating at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/james-meacham2