A Cilcennin man has raised over £1,000 for charity by taking on a cycling challenge.

Rhys Lewis, 45 from Cilcennin, has been awarded a medal for raising over £1,100 for Diabetes UK Cymru by cycling the 60 miles of the Ceredigion Coastal Path on a bike at home.

Rhys has Williams Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, and type one diabetes.

Rhys said: “I initially found living with diabetes challenging and remember injecting and checking blood levels and looking closely at what I eat, as well as dealing with the stigma attached to the condition.

“I chose to take on the challenge of cycling the Ceredigion Coastal Path to raise awareness of diabetes, to fund vital research and improve my own glucose levels.

“I’m not a professional cyclist by any means but used my exercise bike and benefitted from the support of friends and family so that I could keep on going on the hard days.”

Because of his learning difficulties and need to shield, Rhys moved from sheltered accommodation back with his mother, Laura when the pandemic started.

Rhys’s mother Laura added: “It was a hard challenge, but we got there.

“Rhys likes heavy metal and has over 700 records and is also very interested in tractors and machinery, so it was good for him to increase his activity levels and do something completely different.”

Joseph Cuff, regional fundraiser for Diabetes UK Cymru said: “We want to thank Rhys for doing so well and also his mum, Laura, for supporting the initiative and his diabetes nurse, Anwen Jones, who has cheered and encouraged him all along.”