A senior Welsh clergyman will be swapping his ecclesiastical black for a pair of cycling shorts when he joins a four-day charity bike ride this September.
Geoffrey Marshall, the Dean of Brecon Cathedral, will playing a full part in Shelter Cymru’s 30th birthday celebrations by taking part in the charity’s sponsored cycle expedition from Cardiff to Paris.
The charity is now looking for more volunteers to take part in the 213 mile challenge. Riders will leave Cardiff on September 21 and arrive at the Eiffel Tower on the afternoon of the 24th.
The Very Reverend Marshall is no stranger to Shelter Cymru, having been a Trustee for the past eight years. His involvement in the fight against homelessness goes back even further though as he was part of the original group that formed the charity Shelter back in 1966.
Geoffrey Marshall said “I joined Shelter before its official launch in November 1966, when I made the tea and coffee at the Press launch. I took the film “Cathy Come Home” round Britain, led the first sponsored walk and 25 years ago ran the marathon, so I am very much looking forward to this challenge – I love athletics but think that cycling is now much more appropriate for me.”
Andrew Jones from Shelter Cymru said “This will be Shelter Cymru’s first venture to Europe for a fundraising event and we are confident that all the riders will have an enjoyable time after working hard to raise valuable sponsorship for us.”
The Cardiff to Paris Cycle Ride is aimed at cyclists of any ability and experience. There are no big climbs and the route chosen, especially in France, avoids traffic wherever possible. As with all such charity events a minimum sponsorship is required and full details will be confirmed in April when participants are finalised.
Last year, Shelter Cymru helped around 15,000 people with housing problems and prevented homelessness in 90 per cent of relevant cases.
Photograph: Geoffrey Marshall outside Brecon Cathedral.
