A CWMBRAN man has raised more than £2,000 for charity by cycling from north to south Wales.

Phil Raynsford, along with his two friends Andy Hunter and Steve Harnett, completed the ride in aid of The Brain Tumour charity.

The team left Holyhead to follow Sustrans Cycle Route 8, passing through Llanberis, Barmouth, Porthmadog, Llanidloes and Brecon before finishing in Cardiff Bay.

The cyclists have so far raised £2,500 for The Brain Tumour Charity and donations are still pouring in.

The charity is close to Mr Raynsford's heart as his son Morgan was diagnosed with a brain tumour two years ago.

Morgan had suddenly started experiencing blurred vision.

Within a week he had been diagnosed with a brain tumour and was admitted to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

There then followed an operation to relieve the pressure on his brain caused by the tumour, three months of chemotherapy, a 13 hour operation to remove the tumour itself and six weeks of daily radiotherapy.

His treatment finished two years ago last week and Morgan, though still in recovery, is making great progress and has just started his ‘A’ levels at St Albans RC School in Pontypool.

Mr Raynsford said: “The ride was much harder than we expected but we were spurred on by passing through some of the most magnificent countryside in the entire UK and the kind and generous donations we received.

"Every mile travelled was worthwhile as this is such a valuable cause. Over 9,000 people are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour and over 27,000 with a secondary brain tumour each year.

"Almost 5,000 people lose their lives as a result of this terrible condition and, on average, brain tumours reduce life expectancy by around 20 years; the highest of any cancer.

"Despite this, less than two per cent of funding into cancer research in the UK is spent on brain tumours.

He added: "Early detection is critical.

"It led to my son being diagnosed and receiving some excellent treatment from the doctors and nurses at the Heath.

"The more we can do to raise awareness of the symptoms and treatment of brain tumours the better."