During these uncertain times, it is heartening to see the incredible community which is rallying together to help fight back against the devastating effects of coronavirus.
Charities have been hit hard in recent months, with a ban having been placed on social gatherings, and the country essentially in lockdown, which has led to a number of fundraising events having to be cancelled.
Welsh rugby legend turned pundit Jonathan ‘Jiffy’ Davies is just one of the many people battling back to raise money for charity during these times.
Davies is the president of Velindre NHS Trust and has witnessed first hand the financial strife organisations are currently facing.
As such, the 57-year-old has taken it upon himself to cycle a marathon – 26 miles – every day for 10 days to raise money for Velindre.
Already halfway through, the initiative has smashed its £5,000 target, with more than £13,000 having been poured in by generous supporters.
And the former fly-half certainly appears to have been pouring his own blood, sweat and tears into it, with a photograph uploaded after day four of the challenge showing him to be, understandably, utterly exhausted.
But, on Friday, he released a short video to explain just why this Trust means so much to him.
“The reason I am doing this 2.6 challenge for NHS Velindre Trust is because I lost my father to cancer when I was young, he was very young, 40,” he said in a video on Twitter.
“He got treated in Addenbrooke’s Hospital.
“My wife was diagnosed with cancer when she was 34. I had three kids – seven, three and one (years old) – and the treatment she received at Velindre was unbelievable and I’ll be forever indebted.
“So that’s why I’m doing the challenge.
“Unfortunately, my wife passed away, but Velindre were amazing.
“Good luck with your challenge, but please donate if possible. Thank you!”
Two other famous faces in the Welsh rugby community, Wales’ leading try scorer Shane Williams and former Ospreys coach Sean Holley, have also gone every step of the way with Davies, who has five days, and 130 miles, left to cycle.
The 2.6 challenge is encouraging the public to get active for charity and has seen a number of people put their own spin on it, from running 2.6 miles to cycling 26 miles.
The initiative is headed up by the Save the UK’s Charities scheme, which aims to raise money for charities which will have lost income from mass participation events, such as the Cardiff Bay 10k, the London Marathon and many others.
Davies announced he would begin the challenge on April 20, a special date for him as it was exactly 35 years to the day since he made his Wales debut in the 24-15 win over England in Cardiff.
Holley, who is on only his third day, also posted a video on Friday pleading people to give to the cause.
“It was hard,” he said of the challenge, “but it’s not as hard as it for cancer sufferers and the staff that are working so hard, double trouble at the moment, of course, with Covid-19.
“I’m sure we have all had friends and close family, like myself, suffer cancer.
“I had a horrible scare with my son and when it gets close to home you realise. I’m so grateful for all the work that they do.
“So please donate generously, anything will do.”
If you would like to donate to Velindre then you can do so by clicking here.
