I  did it!! At about 1:55am I rolled across the finish line after approximately 5 days and 17hrs. This was truly an adventure I will never forget.  4 days on and my body is still recovering, with numb hands and feet the strangest side effect. It was a wonderful experience and the 23hr last day, I spent alone through the Welsh mountains, was about the most special time I have ever experienced on a bike. 

It has taken some time to adjust back towards sleeping at night too, although I might never look at a churchyard, field or large rock in the same way again. They all make perfect spots for a short power nap or even a whole 4 hrs worth of sleep!

I have put a small selection of pictures in the gallery. I didn't take many but couldn't help myself, particularly on the last day through 200m of Welsh splendour. 

Throughout my adventure I thought about Zain and it felt really special to have a badger running alongside me on the first or second night.  

It was great to see so many people come out to support us ride past and my Young Lives vs Cancer flag got some people talking. (I'm claiming it was like carrying an extra 20kg but that might really be all the Welsh Cake I ate!). Even at gone midnight did one dot-watcher (Shari) come out and wave me past. Thank you to everyone. 

I learned a lot about myself on this trip and also about bike packing. Would I do it again..... maybe! 

I have been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of everyone who has supported and donated to this brilliant cause. I hope all of our efforts will help make a difference. 

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Back in 2019 I signed up for the Pan Celtic Race (PCR) as a personal challenge and an adventure. Having never done anything like this before, it seemed like a really exciting idea and something to work towards. Roll forward, after a 1 year delay due to Covid and lots of hours spent in the saddle, the race is now fast approaching.

The PCR is a self supported cycle race, starting in the south east of Cornwall and finishing in North Wales just 1371km later! Being self supported means that no one will be following in a van with all my kit! However please come out to see me ride through. (There is an even longer version of the route but I figure 852miles is enough for my first ever multi day event!)

On the route, which covers some of most beautiful but hilly roads in the UK, I will be either looking for somewhere to sleep in my bivy bag or finding B&Bs with space for a man and his stead. 

At 46 and around 100kg I have fully embraced my status as a MAMIL (a middle aged man in lycra). However I hope that my endeavours might inspire others to set themselves a goal for their physical and mental health. 

Since signing up for the race I have wanted to dedicate my efforts to a worthy cause. It was a chance conversation with a colleague, Shaun, that convinced me that Young Lives vs Cancer was the charity I wanted to support. I know that I will be pushing myself and facing some uncomfortable times but this is my choice and is nothing compared to the challenges that cancer creates when it strikes young people and the impact it has on their families.  

Thanks to the incredible generosity of everyone I have now increased my target to £2472 or £2 per km cycled!

This is Zain's story...... (picture in the gallery)

Hi, my name is Shaun Badmin, I'm married to Michelle and have 3 step children, Kaden, Keira and Zain and two biological children Joel and Daniel. This is the story as to why Matt has chosen his charity for the Pan Celtic Race.

In February 2021, our son Zain (13 years old) developed a lump on his neck. The GP was convinced this was a fast growing branchial cyst, so he was referred to Derriford Hospital for a more detailed scan. On Thursday 11th March during the scans, the doctor requested further MRIs, Chest X-rays and CT scans. The following day he was admitted to the High Dependency Unit at Derriford with multiple tissue masses discovered throughout his body, thought to be most likely a lymphatic cancer. On the 13th March he was rushed to Bristol Children's Hospital and placed on immediate bed rest with the emergency spinal surgery team ready to operate at any moment to avoid paralysis from a tumour on his spinal cord. A further tumour caused the palsy of his vocal cord so he could not swallow or speak properly. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 Sporadic Burkitt's Lymphoma (bulky). Had he not been admitted, he'd have been just weeks from death. The tumour in his liver alone was 14cm. So in the space of 3 days and no obvious symptoms, apart from a neck lump, some tiredness and occasional back ache, we were facing a seriously progressed illness. It rocked us all totally. It had only been 3/4 weeks since we had noticed the lump and here we were in an ambulance rushing up the M5.

This is Burkitt's Lymphoma and how quickly it can develop and progress.

Throughout the following weeks as Zain has responded massively well to treatment, Young Lives vs Cancer have been there for us every step of the way. Lin our support worker has been amazing.

Our family is now split between Bristol and Plymouth until treatment finishes in August. We have been given free accommodation 10 minutes from the hospital, for as long as we need it. Young Lives vs Cancer have covered living expenses for us in Bristol and petrol for travelling from Plymouth every weekend. They have helped us negotiate the benefits we are entitled to, as well as a listening ear when we need it.

Without the support from Young Lives vs Cancer we could not have coped financially, emotionally and physically with having a family split 120 miles apart and a seriously ill teenager.

Please give whatever you are able to, in order to help families like us suffer no detriment at difficult times. Help us to make sure everyone gets the support they need, when they need it. Please help raise the awareness of Burkitt's Lymphoma and the amazing work Young Lives vs Cancer do.

Our whole family are eternally grateful to Matt for being inspired by our story and raising money for this fabulous charity
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