The inspirational Welsh rugby great has completed another remarkable fundraising challenge
Welsh rugby legend Jonathan ‘Jiffy’ Davies has done it again, with the 63-year-old completing another gruelling cycling challenge in brutal conditions to raise money for cancer charity Velindre.
The dual-code icon has served as president of the charity since 2009, having tragically lost both his father and first wife Karen to cancer. Since then, he has shown extraordinary commitment to the cause and transformed lives by helping to raise over £50 milllion for the charity through some remarkable endeavours, including a series of cycling challenges.
The last three days have seen Jiffy get back on his bike to take on perhaps his most gruelling challenge yet, leading a group in cycling 300km in the searing Spanish heat from Seville to Marbella.
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Having undergone knee and back operations in 2024, the Wales great faced a brutal return to the saddle as he and his group battled big hill climbs and dangerous temperatures of nearly 42C.
However, after three long days, they made it to the finish line on Sunday evening to mark another stunning achievement. Win free tickets to watch Fiji v Wales in Cardiff this summer.
With another Wales legend, Shane Williams, leading another group on the same route next weekend, the dual fundraising challenges have seen over £250,000 raised for Velindre already. You can donate to Jiffy’s fundraising page here.
Speaking to WalesOnline on Monday, Jiffy said: “My legs, back, neck and bum are battered but it was all worth every second. I missed the last challenge in Florida because of my operation, so it was good to be back.
“The elevation was really tough, the heat was ridiculous the first couple of days and the headwinds meant my average speed at one point was two miles an hour. I think that made this challenge the toughest one yet, it was really intense.
“With the heat, we had to contemplate the risk of injuries and even fatalities, so we had to make assessments every day to see if we could carry on.
“They are long days in the saddle and it is mentally and physically tough. But we just had to dig in and it was an amazing effort by everyone, I am so proud of them all.”
While the intensity of the challenge left Jiffy wondering at times why he was putting himself through it all again, he received a timely reminder that left him overcome with emotion as he addressed the wider group.
“We had a lovely message off someone at Velindre who is looking after a single parent who’s going to pass away. All the support she is getting has come from money raised by these fundraising challenges.
“When we do these challenges, I do sometimes think ‘why am I doing it? This is too hard’. But when you receive a message like that and you’re reminded of how the money we’ve raised helps… it was very emotional. I couldn’t read it out, I was blubbering too much.
“Thank you to everyone for all your support and donations, it has just been amazing. We appreciate all the support and together we are making a difference.”
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