79-year-old to ride 150 miles for charity

Marguerite Shaw, 79 will leave at some point within the next two weeks for a five day cycle ride that will see her set out on an ambitious journey from Torfaen to Builth Wells.

The Abersychan resident, who is a member of the Talywain WI, is also covering her accommodation expenses herself, so that all donations can be split between Cancer Research and Parkinson’s UK.

She said: “I have always had a bike from being a young child and I especially love cycling around Wales.

“I chose the two charities as I have known people with the conditions and I wanted to raise funds for the charities that helped them.”

Her plan is to cycle from the Pensioners Hall in Talywain, and cycle for around 30 miles to Brecon.

The following day she will cycle 35 miles to Builth Wells and will remain there for two nights, completing a 35 mile circular route around the town on day three of her trip.

On day four, she will leave Builth Wells and head to Llandovery, 25 miles away, and will complete her route on day five when she will cycle back to Brecon.

In preparation she has been cycling since March, covering 20 miles once a week, and using her bike to complete errands such as popping to her local shops.

She added: “Cycling has always been a family activity for me. When my children got older my husband and I took the opportunity to go on tours.

“About 20 years ago, we undertook a seven day tour of the Rhine Valley in Germany and stopped in B&Bs along the way.”

She explained that her favourite place to cycle in Wales is in the mountains near Tregaron in Ceredigion.

“When you have finished the ride through there, you feel like you have accomplished something,” she said.

Fellow members of Talywain WI will be cheering her on when she leaves and will also be collecting sponsorship money on her behalf.

For details on how you can donate to Marguerite Shaw’s fund in aid of Cancer Research and Parkinsons UK, contact her on 01495 77383, or speak to a member of the Talywain WI.