CORONAVIRUS has ensured a depressing 2020 for most of us but four friends from Radnorshire decided to get on their bikes and tackle the boredom head on.

Ben Hardwick, Jake Bufton, Tom Groves and Jeff Jones all took up cycling as a form of exercise when the pandemic hit the UK, to keep fit and generally lift their spirits at the start of lockdown. What initially started out as something to keep them from being bored though, quickly turned into a desire to want to do some good – and they joined in with thousands of other cyclists throughout the UK who were all taking part in an initiative to ride 300 miles during September and raise money for Cancer Research UK.

The lads, all in their late 20s, took advantage of their glorious Mid Wales surroundings by completing their target roaming around Radnorshire, as well as Breconshire, taking in the delights of the Elan Valley, Radnor Forest, Brecon Canal and local country lanes.

Ben, from Nantmel, near Rhayader, Jake, from Penybont and Llandrindod residents Tom and Jeff all completed their 300 miles and have raised £1,513 so far, and you can still donate to their cause until the end of October.

Ben said: “This year has been an extremely difficult one with Covid-19 causing uncertainty for many and preventing several of us seeing loved ones as we’re used to.

“During lockdown, like many others, we took up cycling as a form of exercise. This sport motivated us to get out into the countryside where we’re lucky to live and helped us support one another through these hard times.

“We then wanted to support others. Cancer has directly or indirectly touched everyone’s lives, including ours, with the loss of family, friends or loved ones close to our friends. It is due to this that we took up the challenge of each riding 300 miles this September to help fundraise for vital cancer research.

“Cancer is happening now, which is why we’re fundraising for Cancer Research UK. Donating is simple through our page and every penny counts, so please give what you can.”

The foursome would like to thank everyone for their support and donations so far, with their efforts part of a wider UK initiative by teams of people getting on their bikes and doing the same thing.

A total of 377 teams took to the roads, hills and lanes of the UK during September, equating to 9,228 people who raised a mammoth total of £2,318,833.

The boys’ fundraising page is still active and will be until October 31. You can donate to this fantastic cause by visiting their Cancer Research UK page at https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/bens-cycle-300-fundraising-page-84.