A FORMER rugby coach from Meirionnydd has cycled almost the length of the country in 24 hours to raise money for Tenovus Cancer Care.

Robin Jones, from Blaenau Ffestiniog, set himself a gruelling 140-mile challenge, dubbed Club Rugby Against Cancer (CRAC), to raise money for Wales’ leading cancer charity after losing close family members to the disease.

Last Friday he set off from Clwb Rygbi Bro Ffestiniog and finished at Pontypool Utd RFC via Blaenafon RFC, arriving in time to do a pitch-side collection at the Pontypool Utd versus Blaenafon game on Saturday.

Another collection will be made at the Bro Ffestiniog home game with Denbigh on Saturday, 8 September.

Robin said: “I lost my brother, sister and brother-in-law to cancer. My eldest sister had breast cancer over 25 years ago and is now having further treatment.

“In the communities I am fundraising in we have a strong heritage link with mining and rugby. If you did a survey in both communities and asked the locals do you have a connection with rugby or mining then probably you would get over a 60 per cent ‘yes’ response.

“If you then ask them do they have a connection with cancer then you would probably get over 95 per cent respond with ‘yes’.

“I’m raising money to help fund the excellent work Tenovus Cancer Care are doing. One day we will beat cancer!”

If you would like to donate online, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/robin-jones13

See this week’s north editions for the full story, in shops and online Thursday