THE friends and family of a much-loved Pontypool man are planning a charity cycle challenge ahead of the one-year anniversary of his death in a car crash.

Adam Phillip Michael Millett was airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff last September following a crash between a car and a lorry near Blaenavon.

Following his death, tributes poured in for the 26- year-old with family calling him a “wonderful daddy, son, brother and uncle”.

Next month, three cyclists — including Adam's brother and best friend — will ride in the closed-road Velothon cycling event in his memory.

The event attracts thousands of cyclists to Gwent every year, with many single riders or teams raising funds in the process travelling through Newport, Torfaen, Monmouthshire and Caerphilly.

A GoFundMe page, set up by Adam's brother, Tomos, is currently raising funds ahead of the race with all proceeds being donated to the Wales Air Ambulance charity.

A statement – posted on the GoFundMe page by the 16-year-old – states the cycle will “raise much needed funds for the Wales Air Ambulance who attended the accident”.

“We want to do something that will help others as Adam would have wanted that. Adam was always helping others,” he said.

“We will always have good memories of Adam, he was my hero and loved by many friends, who have been a tremendous support to all the family.”

Abersychan School pupil, Tomos, will be joined by Lewis Willmott, aged 21, of Stanley Road, Garndiffaith and Lewis’s dad Richard Powell with the online fundraiser already raising £405 of its £500 goal.

Mr Willmott said: “Adam would do anything for anyone and if he could help, he would.

“His death had a massive impact on his younger brother because he was his role model and he found it quite difficult.

“The only reason why we chose Wales Air Ambulance was because it was a big part of the incident and it was to show our appreciation towards it and their reaction times and service.”

Family friend, Karen Willmott, said that Adam and her son, Lewis, were “best friends” and have “known each other for a long time”.

The 38-year-old, who works for Marie Curie Cancer Care, said: “They would go on their bikes together, to car shows and out drinking and just shared the same likes and interests.

“Adam was so loved in the community and such a lovely boy, well-mannered and well liked”.

She added: “He loved his cars and his little girl Amelia and did everything with her and for her.

“The fundraising is also for Adam’s family and to show them that he’s not forgotten and that his memory will always live on.

“Adam's mum, Kath, is forever fundraising for the Welsh Air Ambulance, this is to keep her focused.”

Adam’s brother, Tomos Millett, of Coed Terrace, Talywain, also added: “Adam was like my dad and he would always do stuff for everyone and anyone.

“It’s amazing to raise so much money so far”.

Several other events will be taking place this year to raise money for Adam Millett’s family under the hashtag #teammillett including the Chepstow 5k Bounce Run this weekend.

To support the charity Velothon ride, visit Tomos’s GoFundMe page to donate: www.gofundme.com/velathon-in-memory-of-adam-millett