THREE super-dads have signed up to an epic 280-mile cycle from Cardiff to Dublin to watch Ireland vs Wales in the 2020 Rugby Six Nations - all for the Sully-based hospice that cares for their life-limited children.

The Ride to the Rugby fundraiser will see more than 40 riders taking on a challenging cycling route over four days, from the Principality Stadium, in Cardiff, on February 4 to the Aviva Stadium, in Dublin, just in time to watch Ireland kick off against Wales on February 9.

The three dads, James Meacham, Patrick Lord, and Matthew Smith, whose children have been supported by Tŷ Hafan, will be powering up their pedalling prowess over the next couple of months to raise money for the children’s hospice.

Mr Meacham is a bereaved dad who will be riding in memory of son, Thomas, who died just a couple of months ago with an ultra-rare genetic life-limited condition called adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) that affects just one in 18,000 people.

He said: “Signing up for this challenge wasn’t even a question.

"Tŷ Hafan was there for Thomas every step of the way.

"The care and support we received as a family, even when we weren’t there, was incredible.

“The hospice introduced me to support networks and social groups where dads, who were all experiencing similar hardship, could get together and talk; it was suddenly like being given a comfort blanket.

"It also gave me the opportunity to meet other families who wanted to get involved in challenges to support the hospice together.”

Tŷ Hafan hopes the challenge will raise more than £40,000 which will go towards providing vital lifeline services to the children and families who need it most, enabling them to share new experiences and create memories as they face the toughest challenge of their lives.

Tŷ Hafan’s head of events, Sali Thomas said: “If you sign up to the event, Tŷ Hafan will support you every step of the way by giving you fundraising advice as well as training tips.

"The individual fundraising target is £1,200 which also covers the costs of accommodation for five nights, all meals on route, a fully-supported ride, branded training and event shirts, the ferry crossing and return transport, plus the all-important ticket to the game.”

For information and to sign up to Ride to the Rugby Dublin 2020, contact sali.thomas@tyhafan.org or 02920 532279.

Also, visit tyhafan.org/ride-to-the-rugby