10th Anniversary for the Taff Trail Cycle Challenge

Thursday 14 June 2012

Believe it or not Sunday 2 September will see the tenth anniversary of the Tŷ Hafan Taff Trail Cycle challenge which has become one of the most popular events on the summer calendar.

Last year over 400 cyclists set off from Brecon to complete the whole 55 mile trail and 130 more started from Merthyr Tydfil for the shorter route with all participants arriving for a heroes welcome in Cardiff Bay.

At about the same time as the first Taff Trail took place ten years ago a little boy called Tomas, and his family, were referred to Tŷ Hafan, the family hospice for young lives.

Tomas was poorly from around six weeks old when he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus (water on the brain) for which he has had several shunts fitted. 

Since the age of two Tomas has also suffered from a rare neurological disorder which causes his muscles to spasm, with no warning, at numerous times throughout the day and night.  Over the years he has required many operations from spinal rods to hip surgery as well as pioneering brain surgery to have a device fitted called a deep brain stimulator.

Ten years on and his mum and dad, Deborah and Phillip have made sure, with help from Tŷ Hafan, that Tomas lives his life to the full.

 “Although Tomas has had to endure many different operations and test scans he is amazing and we are so very proud of him” said Deborah  “Tomas is, and always will be, an inspiration to us and our family”.

A couple of years ago Tomas took part in the last stage of the Tŷ Hafan Taff Trail Challenge himself, with his Dad, on a specially adapted wheelchair bike.   

What more inspiration do you need to take part in this fantastic event to help other life-limited young people and their families, from across Wales, deal with the many challenges they meet - every day of their lives.

Registration per team is £ 40 with each team raising a minimum of £500 for the Full Taff and £250 for the Half Taff in sponsorship.
For more information visit www.thetafftrail.co.uk  or call 02920 672060
If you are not a cyclist but would like to help out by being a marshal at the event please contact us as above.