STAFF at a telecommunications firm are taking on a 24-hour cycling challenge to raise £5000 for a Penarth man who has cancer.

TWL Voice and Data is competing in Cyclone24 this autumn, with all proceeds going towards Matt Burns and his family as he battles cancer.

In 2016, Mr Burns, 40, of West Terrace, was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) and underwent surgery which was followed by a course of chemotherapy.

By the end of the year, he was recovering well and it seemed the expert doctors in University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and Morriston Hospital in Swansea had got there in time.

Unfortunately, the cancer has spread to his liver and Matt recently began another course of chemotherapy but he is facing the option of self-funding further treatment which may cost in the region of £30,000.

Speaking of why the business wants to get involved, TWL managing director Andrew Nicholson, 40, of Westbourne Road, said: "Being a Penarth boy with a young family, Matt’s story really hit me hard.

"As a firm, we regularly raise funds for charity. However, to be able to do this for a family close-by is so important to us.

"We hope our small efforts will go a long way in supporting Matt and those close to him.

"It is inconceivable to know what he is going through along with his family. We’ll do our best to raise as much as we can towards our £5,000 target, if not more."

Cyclone24 is the ultimate cycling challenge; testing the endurance of a team of six as they continuously push the pedals for 24 hours.

The TWL team will battle mental exhaustion and fatigue as they take it in one hour shifts to keep the clock ticking.

The fundraiser challenge will be held at the Wales National Velodrome in Newport this October.

Mr Burns, who has known Mr Nicholson for more than 10 years, said: "I am blown away by the generosity of TWL and everyone else who is raining money. "I’ve been quite overwhelmed by how everyone has rallied around me; the support is unbelievable and very humbling.

"I’ll be cheering on the TWL in the run up to their challenge this October."

Regarding the challenge, Mr Nicholson said: "This will be unlike anything we’ve faced before. We have some keen amateur cyclists in the ranks, but to keep it going for 24 hours around the same track will be a real test of stamina."

To donate, visit.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/twlvoiceanddata.