Barry pair's cycle 209 miles across Wales will help tot to walk (From Barry And District News)

Barry pair's cycle 209 miles across Wales will help tot to walk

8:10am Friday 8th February 2013 in News By Chris Seal

TWO Barry men have cycled more than 200 miles from north to south Wales in a bid to raise money to help a local girl to walk.

Jordan Harrison and Tomos Lloyd completed the 209 mile ‘Ride for Niamh 2 Walk’ over two days last month.

During the bike ride, which has already raised more than £5,000, the duo had to combat ice, snow, a constant headwind, flat tyres and challenging Welsh mountains.

All the money raised will go towards a life-changing operation for two-year-old Niamh Tarran with cerebral palsy.

Niamh, who is cared for by her mother Emma Farrugia, suffers from hydrocephalus, a cerebral palsy condition that means that Niamh is unable to walk unaided and needs either a walking frame or adapted wheelchair to move around safely.

Her family are hoping to raise £40,000 for her to have a Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy operation in America, as well as £20,000- worth of aftercare, so that she will be able to walk as she gets older.

Jordan, 28, said that the thought of fundraising for Niamh proved inspirational when the ride became difficult.

“When you are on a bike going uphill and it’s hard, you just want to slow down, but then you remember why you are doing it,” he said.

“The distance and endurance was the hardest part.

“The first day was the hardest, as we cycled 135 miles in the freezing cold.

“It just felt like you had no break, as we had a headwind to confront the whole way.”

Jordan, of Boon Close, had planned to complete the charity challenge with a support vehicle following him, with Tomos cycling at certain points to help him along the way. After a number of ‘let downs’ Tomos stepped up to cycle the whole way with him.

Jordan, who had been training for the bike ride since October, described it as ‘incredible’ when they made it home to Barry Island.

“There were so many people waiting for us when we got there,” he said.

“It was very emotional when we heard the support and everyone cheering, it was just amazing.”

Jordan has now raised more than £5,200 and is hoping that the final total will be closer to £6,000 when further donations are collected and counted.

“If I raise £6,000 for a brave little girl to walk it would be worth every ounce of pain endured during the ride,” he said.

“I would like to thank Wonka’s Sweet Store; and Food for Thought Deli, High Street, for their generosity and support; Emma, Dan and their families for their amazing support; BeeSpoke Cycles and Nicky Palmer Fitness.

“I would also like to thank The Barry and District News and everybody who donated and supported me throughout.

There are way too many to mention but without them it wouldn’t have been possible.”

Emma Farrugia was delighted with their fundraising efforts.

“What I want to say is that words do not come close to the gratitude I have for both Jordan and Tomos,” she said.

“They put so much time and effort into the fundraising for Niamh and raised a tremendous amount, but the time they sacrificed with their training and a whole weekend of riding is just incredible and I will never forget what they did.

“It means so much having the support of friends and family with the fundraising.”

The next fundraising event for Niamh will be a Neil Diamond Tribute Night on Saturday (February 16) at The Barry Dockers Club, Vere Street, at 7.30pm, with tickets £5.

You can still sponsor Jordan at www.justgiving.- com/jordan-harrison ●To donate towards Niamh’s bid for a life changing operation go to www.- justgiving.com/niamhneedstowalk or text NNTW50 followed by £5 or any other amount to 70070.