By David Williams
Thirty-five cyclists have departed the Principality Stadium, riding to Paris for charity safe in the knowledge the ambitious task of raising £300,000 had already been reached.
The ride is spearheaded by former Welsh Rugby Union commercial manager Craig Maxwell, who was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer last July.
“I’m feeling very emotional at the moment,” said Craig as he prepared to jump on his bike to lead the riders out of the Principality Stadium. “So many of my friends have rallied around and joined me on this ride .
“The fact we’ve already broken through the £300,000 target is fantastic, but now the push is on to try to take that figure up to £500,000 to enable Velindre to carry out their fantastic work.
“With 35 of my mates riding with me is has the feel of s second ‘Stag’ weekend and I’m sure we’ll have a bit of fun when we reach Paris. Being able to train and prepare for this trip has been a wonderful distraction for me and my wife Tracey.”
Six Nations chief commercial officer Craig Maxwell continues heroic cancer fundraising efforts by leading off Cardiff to Paris bike ride. https://t.co/wHcdpk2aW1
— Alex Bywater (@_AlexBywater) July 24, 2023
Craig set a target of £300,000 to be raised to support the QuicDNA Project. The project aims to shorten the time it takes to diagnose lung cancer in Wales.
Approximately 39,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year in the UK. Around 15 per cent of those have EGFR mutations which are more common in women than men and in people who have never smoked or have been light smokers.
The chief commercial officer of the Six Nations has already pushed the boundaries by running the London Marathon in April and he also completed a bike ride from Cardiff to Tenby to push the total to an impressive £280,000.
After his story appeared in a national newspaper last weekend, the total surged through the £300,000 barrier and now the aim is to raise even more money with a bike ride from Cardiff to Paris.
To donate to Craig Maxwell’s funding for The QuicDNA Project and Velindre Cancer Centre, visit: https://craigmaxwell-quicdna.justgiving-sites.com
Close friend of Craig Maxwell, Vasco Gomes led a sentimental start to the Cardiff 🏴 to Paris 🇫🇷 cycle.
A big challenge powered by the love for Craig and a desire to create a lasting legacy.
Help Craig reach £500,000 by clicking here ⬇️https://t.co/sLmEU6UoEo pic.twitter.com/q9Zxag3b2T
— Velindre Fundraising (@Velindre) July 24, 2023