Inspired by the likes of Zoe Ball and Greg James, Bents Garden & Home MD Matthew Bent set his own sporting goal – to complete the Lon Las Cymru challenge, riding 280 miles from Holyhead to Cardiff, in aid of St Rocco’s Hospice, the Centre’s 2018 Charity of the Year.

Matthew and five friends took to their mountain bikes and completed the 280 mile challenge over three days earlier this month.

Among those joining him were Scott Heesom, married to Matthew’s sister Helen; Andrew Morris, who is married to his youngest sister Katherine, and friends Wayne Pryce and Christian McKenzie and Pat Scharfegger.

Before setting off, Matthew said:  “It has been eight years since we last tackled a serious distance on our bikes, so the 280 miles from Holyhead to Cardiff will be a challenge, especially as we have chosen to go the hard way; through the Snowdonian Hills and Brecon Beacons, using off-road tracks.  A real challenge for us occasional cyclists so we would be grateful for any donations and support!”

St Rocco’s was one of three charities nominated by colleagues at Bents Garden & Home and, after a period of in store voting it was chosen by customers as the Centre’s 2018 dedicated cause, with all money raised throughout the year helping the hospice.

The Lon Las Cymru team set up their own Just Giving page here https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lonlascymru280 and had raised more than £3,600 as this issue of GTN Xtra closed.