Story
‘Team Williams Tour of Wales’
A cycle ride around the circumference of Wales to raise money for the dementia charity, Ty Hapus who supported my lovely husband, Gareth Williams and our family.
Duration: 8 days
Total distance: 650 miles
Total elevation: 38,000 feet.
On 19th July, myself and three friends will leave Cowbridge to ride around Wales.
Here’s our story:
Gareth was born in Cilfynydd and after leaving school he joined the Police reaching the rank of Detective Chief Inspector. He absolutely loved sport, concentrating initially on boxing, judo and rugby. He played 1st Class rugby for Pontypridd, South Wales Police and Dunvant and was selected to play for the British Police. After he retired from the game he maintained his fitness by running, cycling, walking and gym work.
In 2014 Gareth was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. This was a devastating blow to him and our family as our children were only 9 yrs and 12 yrs old.
He fought the illness bravely and never gave up. He worked hard to maintain his fitness, completing the 2018 Cardiff Half Marathon in 2 hours. Later that year he was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia and this is when we became involved with the charity Ty Hapus who were based in Barry. Ty Hapus offer support to people and their families who are affected by dementia. Throughout Gareth’s illness their support was unwavering. The staff welcomed us as a family and did everything they could to help us. Nothing was too much trouble and they were always there for us during this tremendously sad time. Without their dedication and understanding our lives would have been much more difficult. In 2020 Gareth’s condition deteriorated quite rapidly and sadly he passed away on 21st March, 2021.
To those people who knew him, Gareth was the most decent, honourable and kind man you could wish to meet. He had a wonderful sense of humour and was a great practical joker! As a husband and father, he was our greatest supporter and encourager in everything we did. Gareth absolutely loved his family, he gave so much and always placed us before himself. A gaping hole has been left in our lives but we do have such great memories of our family life together and we hold on to that.
After Gareth passed away I made a promise to Ty Hapus that at some stage in the future I would raise funds for them to thank them for their wonderful support.
Gareth was so proud of his Welsh heritage, he loved Wales with an absolute passion. There seems no better way to honour Gareth’s memory than to cycle around his beloved country raising money for this great charity.
Thank you for your support.
Carrie, Luke and Katie.
A cycle ride around the circumference of Wales to raise money for the dementia charity, Ty Hapus who supported my lovely husband, Gareth Williams and our family.
Duration: 8 days
Total distance: 650 miles
Total elevation: 38,000 feet.
On 19th July, myself and three friends will leave Cowbridge to ride around Wales.
Here’s our story:
Gareth was born in Cilfynydd and after leaving school he joined the Police reaching the rank of Detective Chief Inspector. He absolutely loved sport, concentrating initially on boxing, judo and rugby. He played 1st Class rugby for Pontypridd, South Wales Police and Dunvant and was selected to play for the British Police. After he retired from the game he maintained his fitness by running, cycling, walking and gym work.
In 2014 Gareth was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. This was a devastating blow to him and our family as our children were only 9 yrs and 12 yrs old.
He fought the illness bravely and never gave up. He worked hard to maintain his fitness, completing the 2018 Cardiff Half Marathon in 2 hours. Later that year he was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia and this is when we became involved with the charity Ty Hapus who were based in Barry. Ty Hapus offer support to people and their families who are affected by dementia. Throughout Gareth’s illness their support was unwavering. The staff welcomed us as a family and did everything they could to help us. Nothing was too much trouble and they were always there for us during this tremendously sad time. Without their dedication and understanding our lives would have been much more difficult. In 2020 Gareth’s condition deteriorated quite rapidly and sadly he passed away on 21st March, 2021.
To those people who knew him, Gareth was the most decent, honourable and kind man you could wish to meet. He had a wonderful sense of humour and was a great practical joker! As a husband and father, he was our greatest supporter and encourager in everything we did. Gareth absolutely loved his family, he gave so much and always placed us before himself. A gaping hole has been left in our lives but we do have such great memories of our family life together and we hold on to that.
After Gareth passed away I made a promise to Ty Hapus that at some stage in the future I would raise funds for them to thank them for their wonderful support.
Gareth was so proud of his Welsh heritage, he loved Wales with an absolute passion. There seems no better way to honour Gareth’s memory than to cycle around his beloved country raising money for this great charity.
Thank you for your support.
Carrie, Luke and Katie.