Former dual-code Welsh rugby legend Jonathan Davies has achieved yet another goal in his illustrious life today: breaking the £50 million mark raised for the charity, Velindre Cancer Care.
Since becoming involved with the cause way back in 2007, Davies has helped the donation bucket continue to rattle thanks to numerous charity efforts. As his wife Jay recently explained in an interview with Wales Online, it’s not just a part-time gig for Davies.:
“People might think it’s the odd bike ride or after-dinner speech, but it’s a daily task he does. He does a lot of videos for people who will send him a message, saying a family member is in hospital with cancer and wondering if he could send a message.
“I don’t think he’s ever said no to that. That pretty much happens every other day. He’s in it 100 per cent. It’s not just what you see in front of the camera. It’s what we see from our point of view. I can’t see him ever stepping down as president. I think he’ll always maintain the role. Whether he can still do the rides, I don’t know. But he’ll be there with a zimmer frame. It’s an absolutely incredible achievement.”
Cheers Mike. https://t.co/ItXYGHCm9v
— Jonathan Davies OBE (@JiffyRugby) August 19, 2024
Now 61, many would have thought that the man from Carmarthenshire would start to slow down on the physical exertion, but besides the odd niggle, his passion is showing no sign of wearing down. Even Jay recently said: “His mindset is that if he’ll have to miss this next one, he’ll be back for the one after once he’s a bionic man again. There’s no stopping him.”
Signing off with his final bike ride before his knee replacement in September and potential back operation in December, Jiffy (as he’s fondly known), rode the epic 50-mile cycle route from Cardiff to Swansea on Sunday 18th of August, connecting two of Wales’s renowned cancer centres for Jiffy’s Cancer 50 Challenge.
Celebrating in his lycra suit with a well-deserved Guinness after the ride, Jiffy had the following to say: “It was an amazing ride today, the weather was kind to us. We had about 300 riders starting from Cardiff City Stadium, finishing off here in the lighthouse which I think just adds to it, you know it’s a beautiful spot, everyone’s raised the money and there’s no casualties, that’s the most important thing.
“I just wanna say thank you to everyone who supported us, the riders, the sponsors, it’s just amazing that everyone enjoys it and hopefully we will grow it and make it the biggest cycle ride in the UK.”
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Discussing the charity’s impact on himself and those around him, Jiffy continued: “It’s men and women from different walks of life, young and old. You make it like the sporting environments I’ve been in, where everyone is friendly and it’s an open forum for everyone. We take the p**s and we talk about why we’re there.
“It’s just amazing how they’ve all come together and been friends for life. They’re difficult, mentally and physically for some because it reminds them of why they are there and how cancer touched their lives. But I’m so proud of that. It’s been a great team. This year has been brilliant because the hospital is going to be built and we’ve passed £50m.
“To raise that amount of money in Wales alone is special. If you’d have told me when I started with them, that we’d break £50m, I’d have laughed at you. But seeing the work we’ve done – and it’s painful because some riders have passed away with cancer but that’s why we do it – it’s a case of let’s see what we can do in the next 10 years. If we continue to raise the awareness, who knows what we can achieve.”
Donate towards the cause here.
So after yesterdays 50 mile bike ride, Jiffy’s cancer 50 challenge I absolutely loved it however I do have a very sore backside today, would I do it again? In a heartbeat, @JiffyRugby @VelindreCC @Velindre
why don’t you come and join us next year? Xx pic.twitter.com/7FuHVv1Nv3— Simon jagger (@radiojagger) August 19, 2024
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