In July 2018 I will be cycling around Wales self supported, above is the route I plan to follow which is around 600 miles. I'm not only aiming to cycle 60 miles a day, but as I pass I'm going to stop at Brecon to climb Pen - y - Fan and then climb Snowdon when I'm in North Snowdonia and Cader Idris (Penygader) when I get to south Snowdonia.

I'm going to push myself in order to raise as much money as possible for the two charities I feel strongly about.

Y Bwthyn Newydd, Bridgend - http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/documents/863/y_bwthyn_leaflet.pdf

Sharklife - https://www.learn.sharklife.co.za/index.php/about-us

Unfortunately, I have had family members and friends that have had to to use the services of Y Bwthyn Newydd. For those who are unaware, Y Bwthyn looks after palliative care patients, not only in their unit, but in the wider community as a whole. Family members that have attended Y Bwthyn have always been made comfortable and have been looked after well. This is my way of saying thank you to them for all the help and support that they give to local families. Funds raised will go towards patient comforts and on going staff education; such as providing equipment and other resources for patients and their families that the NHS cannot fund. A refurbishment of the unit is currently being planned. As it's been open for 20 years upgrading facilities for patients, staff and families would be a positive all around.

When it comes to sharks your first thought draws upon fear, mostly due to the film Jaws, which portrays sharks as being mindless man eaters. This fear causes people to think of a sea without sharks as a better place. Hearing about millions of sharks being culled for various reasons, such as having their fins taken for shark fin soup, doesn't cause the majority any concern. This is something that needs to change.

Following a shark diving trip to South Africa, I learnt a lot about sharks. I learnt how vulnerable they are, but most importantly how misunderstood they are. Seeing them up close and personal in their own environment made me appreciate how beautiful and graceful they are in the water. They demand our respect but most of all they need our protection. Sharks are so important to the health of our oceans and they're better seen, experienced and respected in the beauty of the open oceans than on a plate in a restaurant.

Sharklife addresses the alarming exploitation of both shark populations and ocean fisheries in South African waters. They actively engage the urgent need for research and protection of many marine species. Shark life stands to protect sharks by educating people through online courses and practical in water experiences with these natural beautiful creatures. Funding will help towards creating further education, thus gaining greater protection for them.

'Understanding shark behaviour and biology is the first step towards conserving them.'

Attached is a video from South Africa 2017 with these extraordinary species.

For more information please follow links below.

Thank you for your support,

Dan

Y Bwthyn http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/documents/863/y_bwthyn_leaflet.pdf

Sharklife https://www.learn.sharklife.co.za/index.php/about-us