A TEAM of Ironmen and cycling enthusiasts have raised almost £4,000 for two local charities by taking part in a long endurance bike ride.

Meurig Griffiths, Ammanford-based PCSO Dayton Hughes, John Carpenter, Mike Wray, John Folkes, Neil Hopkins, PC Matthew Jones, Gareth Jones, Andy Jones, Ben Jones and Mark Rees took part in a castle to castle challenge last month in aid of Paul Pugh and Ryan4Leuckemia.

11 cyclists left Oystermouth Castle in Mumbles at 6am on Saturday, March 24 and nine cyclists reached Windsor Castle in London 189 miles later at around 9pm.

After seven punctures and two major bicycle breakdowns, the group managed to compete the mammoth task in just 11 hours and 38 minutes cycle time.

During the six months training leading up to the main event, one cyclist had an accident which put his place in jeopardy.

M W Griffiths and Son LTD owner Meurig, 53, who is a member of a local cycling club known as the Dynamos along with team member Dayton, said: “The support we had from local businesses, friends and family helped us complete our mission.

“I had a cycling accident on January 14 when I was training for the challenge, but I had will power and managed to get back into the training.

“The weather was bad and we stopped every 30 miles. Failure is not an option was my saying.

“We all stuck together and hopefully we will get the chance to do another charity ride next year.”

PCSO Dayton Hughes takes part in the Paul’s Pledge presentations across the country alongside Paul Pugh himself, and he said that the thought of what Paul has been through kept him going through the challenge.

Paul was brutally attacked on a night out in Ammanford in 2007 and the funds raised will help him with his rehabilitation.

The team would like to thank Brecon Carreg, Carter Lauren Construction for the hire of the vehicles, Enterprise Car Hire for donating two vans, Karen Stone at CEMB Print, Dylan Morris of Cycle Specific for arranging the punishing training resume and proving a nutrition plan, Ironman Paul Craddock for supporting with a van, Llys Cennen Solicitors, Cooper Drainage Supplies Ltd and John Folkes for arranging the charity ride and working out the cycle route.