Swanny sets off on mammoth charity ride (From Western Telegraph)

Swanny sets off on mammoth charity ride

5:40pm Sunday 17th March 2013 in News

A Fishguard cyclist has set off on a mammoth bike ride around the coast of Great Britain.

Local gardener, artist and woodworker Malcolm McCarthy, known as Swanny, left Aberystwyth bandstand last Monday, March 3rd, and is hoping to complete the ride anticlockwise around the coast before his 40th birthday in December.

“The number three has followed me through my life so I have chosen the third day of the third month to do a sponsored cycle ride around the coast of Britain,” he said.

In-keeping with his lucky number Swanny hopes to raise a total of at least £3,000 for his three chosen charities – Ty Hafan, Children with Cancer and Cancer Research.

“Having grown up with a variety of children with magical qualities and being aware of the role Ty Hafan plays in the care and after-care of such children, what better charity to hand-pick?” he said.

“My foster father died of leukaemia, so I chose the charity, Children with Leukaemia (now called Children with Cancer).

“So many people have known and lost loved ones to cancer. It has affected myself, friends and family. It still scares people. There are so many forms of cancer and Cancer Research aids all of them.”

Swanny is cycling unsupported and plans to ride 50 miles a day on his Dawes Horizon bike for three days at a time, with a day off to rest in between. He plans to camp or stay at youth hostels along the way.

To support Swanny or find out more, visit www.swantour.org.uk or his Facebook page Swanny McCarthy.