Carmarthen accountant Ann Thomas is counting down the days to a marathon international bike challenge.
Ann, senior consultant with Clay Shaw Butler chartered accountants and business consultants in Lammas Street, Carmarthen, has signed up for the Paris to Swansea charity bike ride in August.
Its the biggest physical test Ive faced since climbing Kilimanjaro a few years back, but Im looking forward to a great challenge, said Ann, 37.
At the front of my mind will be helping to raise loads of cash for charity and I will be riding for Maggies. They are a very worthwhile UK-wide charity with a new cancer centre in Swansea.
The actual ride takes place between August 22-26 and will cover 320 miles. I will be joining a group of riders who hope to raise more than 80,000 for Maggies.
Ann is already in training for the ride and is just over a quarter of the way towards reaching her individual target of raising 1,500.
Im a keen cyclist and Ive taken part in what are described as Sportif cycle ride events in the past. But the cycle rides Ive taken part in are nothing compared to the scale of this ride from Paris.
The hard training has started and there are a few aches and pains, but I hope to be fully geared-up for the event come August.
The support I have had from work colleagues and clients has been immense and I am very grateful to everyone who has contributed to such a worthwhile cause.
Meanwhile, I have set up a JustGiving website page which makes it easy for people to donate cash.
Cycling from Paris to Swansea in four days is a challenge in itself but is nothing compared to the work Maggie's does tirelessly from day to day, helping all affected by cancer, from sufferers, to their family and their friends. They provide exceptional support and help to all that need it.
You will all no doubt have been touched by cancer in some way in your lives and can empathise with anyone that is currently dealing with or indeed has had to deal with cancer in the past. This cruel disease does not care whom it attacks and the fight to ease the pain it causes needs our support.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving. Once you donate, theyll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So its the most efficient way to donate.
JustGiving website
http://www.justgiving.com/Ann-Thomas27
Or if you want to sponsor Ann directly, call her at Clay Shaw Butler on 01267 228 500
Email - AnnThomas@clayshawbutler.com
The Clay Shaw Butler website is at
http://www.clayshawbutler.com

About the ride:
Sarn Helen Events, Action Bikes and the South Wales Evening Post have teamed up to raise money for Maggies Cancer Caring Centres.
Pedal Paris2Swansea bike ride is a fantastic charity challenge starting from the capital of France, through rural countryside, over the channel, into sleepy England, and on to the heart of South West Wales, finishing at Morgans Hotel in Swansea.
Itinerary
Day 1 Travel To Paris
Day 2 Paris to Val de Reuil 75 miles: Early morning departure cycling west out of Paris, bells ringing. Along the River Seine, taking in the beautiful Vernon Gardens all the way to Val de Reuil.
Day 3 Val de Reuil to Le Havre 75 miles: The Seine is again our passage after breakfast, cycling through quiet rural roads, to the source of this magnificent river. Le Havre crossing to Portsmouth arrival approx. 21:30
Day 4 Portsmouth to Bristol 80 miles: Riding through the New Forest, and the English countryside to the spiritual home of Brunel.
Day 5 Bristol to Swansea 85 miles: Leaving Bristol under the Suspension Bridge, we cycle through Cardiff, and home to Swansea for the celebratory ride down Fabian Way.
Website -
http://www.sarnhelensportif.org/events/paris-to-swansea

About Maggies:
Maggie's has opened its first purpose built centre in Wales. Maggie's South West Wales, located beside the Singleton Hospital in Swansea is set to provide anybody affected by cancer with support that complements the treatment provided by the hospital.
Maggie's South West Wales' position next to the South West Wales Cancer Centre allows it to support the South West Wales Cancer Network. This region currently sees more than 3,000 new cases of cancer of diagnosed each year.
We are open Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5pm for information, psychological and emotional support and benefits advice. We have a clinical psychologist, a cancer support specialist and a benefits advisor on hand for drop-in and pre-booked appointments and courses.
If you are affected by cancer please drop in to see us at our centre beside Singleton Hospital, Sketty Lane, or phone 01792 200000.
The network covers approximately 900,000 people within the regions of Aberystwyth, Haverfordwest, Swansea, Powys, Carmarthen, Llanelli, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend. In this area, there are over 3,000 new cases of cancer a year and 20,000 people living with cancer.
Uniquely, Maggies South West Wales will be the first centre to collaborate with the cancer genetics service to offer information and practical support to people who are at risk of cancer, based on family history.
For more information about supporting Maggies South West Wales, please contact Andy Watts, andy.watts@maggiescentres.org or Vicki Jones, Community Fundraising Coordinator, vicki@maggiescentres.org or telephone 01792 285682.
http://www.maggiescentres.org/centres/southwestwales/introduction.html