A BRON Afon employee will be fundraising so he represent his country at the student Rugby League World Cup in Australia next month.

Dafydd Hellard, 31, is an employability and volunteering officer with the Cwmbran-based social landlord but also studies youth and community education at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

The trip down under for the competition, running from July 5 to 17, costs £3,000 and on Wednesday, June 14, he will be completing a static bike ride at the housing association to raise funds.

He said: “Funding is limited in the sport so we have to each pay for our own flights, kit, entry fee and accommodation in order to take part in the World Cup.

“I’ve decided that for every £50 I raise I will also volunteer for one hour in a local homeless shelter.

“This means when I get back from Australia I’ll be working for 60 hours on a cause that that is close to my heart.

“I can’t wait to represent Wales.

“Training has been going really well, despite being initially ruled out through injury.

“Anyone who knows me knows how passionate I am about rugby league, due to my involvement as both a player and a coach in the community and professional game in Wales.”

To donate to his appeal, visit pledgesports.org/projects/get-dafydd-down-under-2/.