Among the Long Course Weekend’s participants was a contingent of 18 local athletes raising money for the Bloodwise charity after popular Tenby sportsman Simon Rossiter was diagnosed in May this year with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Among the group were Simon’s wife Debbie, ‘legends’ Nicky Rees and Steve Rogers, who are the only two athletes to have completed every one of the six Long Course Weekends, and one of Simon’s best friends, Chris Brace.

“Due to Matt Evans and Scott Powell, of Activity Wales Events’, generosity in donating 10 sponsored free LCW places, we were able to put together a team of LCW athletes with the one common goal of raising as much money as possible for the Bloodwise charity which has resulted in an amazing current fund total of over £6,000,” said Chris.

“A big thank you to Matt and Scott for their amazing generosity, to everyone that took part in a LCW event who raised money for the Bloodwise charity, the amazing supporters, everyone that held a collection tin, the marshals and to everyone who has so kindly sponsored and donated,” he continued.

“It was an amazing experience and although the weather on Saturday made the 112-mile bike ride even tougher than it already is, everyone kept joking and smiling which kept our spirts high throughout the day.”

Fundraising continues via the Just Giving page http://www.justgiving.com/Chris-Brace1 with Ironman Wales on September 18

BLOODWISE CONTINUES TO INSPIRE

Photographer Ross Grieve, of Dirty Green Trainers, has come up with own way of supporting the team and helping their fundraising efforts.

“When I saw Chris Brace (Niffy), Nicky Rees and the rest of the gang getting ready for the Wales Swim at Long Course Weekend as Team Bloodwise, it rekindled a memory for me,” he said.

“When I was about 16-17 years old, my cousin of the same age was diagnosed with Leukaemia. She went through all the treatment, which included losing her hair, and it was inspiring how she dealt with it. The Leukaemia went into remission and 30 years on she has a wonderful family and life.

“So seeing the Bloodwise team, I naturally wanted to help out where I could. The best way I know how is to support their journey, was with photos of their achievements. Every photo that Dirty Green Trainers sells from Long Course Weekend 2016, the proceeds will go directly to Bloodwise via Chris’ Just giving page. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Chris-Brace1

“We have already had a donation of £50 from a Wales Marathon athlete from Cardiff, so hopefully the momentum will continue with more donations. We have tried something different and we are asking people who are sharing our photos on social media from our Twitter and Facebook pages to make a donation also.

“So if you want to see if we managed to capture you over the weekend check out our website www.dirtygreentrainers.com and also our social media pages. Bloodwise is the UK’s specialist blood cancer charity and have been working to beat blood cancer since 1960. They fund world-class research and offer expert information and support to anyone affected by leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and other blood cancer related disorders.

“All the images are supplied free of charge to the Tenby Observer as I’m sure they will be supporting this unique way to raise money.”