A former Wales Air Ambulance patient who suffered a cardiac emergency six months ago, feels ‘euphoric’ after completing a 210-mile cycle challenge in aid of the lifesaving service.
Brian Hughes, from Conwy has never travelled that far, in one go before, but felt ‘compelled to do something out of his comfort zone’, after the service came to his aid in March this year.
The 64-year-old who runs a building company said: “It felt fantastic to be part of such an incredible event in aid of a Charity that was there for me when I needed it most.”
He suffered a cardiac emergency whilst doing his first 100-mile ride out of the season. Both the Welsh Ambulance Service and Wales Air Ambulance attended.
Clinicians administered additional cardiac medication at the scene to complement the treatment already given by the Welsh Ambulance Service crew. Brian was then transferred by air to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd where he underwent an angiogram procedure to clear a blockage in his heart. On discharge from hospital, he signed up for a heart rehabilitation course with the aim of getting back on his bike.
Once given the all-clear, the first thing Brian wanted to do was to raise funds for the Charity, so when the 100km Cycle Challenge with Wales rugby legend Shane Williams was announced, he signed up. But he wanted to take it a step further cycling from Cardiff to Dafen, then onwards to the Caernarfon airbase.
Brian said: “It feels fantastic to have been able to set myself this massive challenge and complete it.
“When I look back to what happened to me, I realise how fortunate I am that I have been able to not only get on with my life, but to get back on my bike, which I love. That’s all down to Wales Air Ambulance.”
He set off with over sixty riders, from Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday 7, September, 2025 and says the first part was ‘fantastic’, ‘especially getting to talk with Shane’ at the start line.
And added: “Five friends supported me, Lynden Jones and Gareth Hughes, were with me until Dafen, whilst Stuart Smith and Philip Arrandale did the full 210 miles, along with our support driver Viv Probert.
“All the riders got a bit wet but our team did the first leg faster than we expected.”
On arrival at the Dafen airbase everyone was given a hero’s welcome, receiving their award and a much-needed refreshments. But whilst everyone else was packing up ready to head home for a warm shower and rest. Brian knew he had another 150 miles to go.
Within an hour, he and his team were back on their bikes travelling towards Caernarfon.
He said: “When we left Llanelli the rain just didn`t let up and we got soaked to the core.
“Thankfully, we had our support vehicle and had a complete change of clothes. It felt great to get dry and warm.
“By 5.30pm, the weather seemed to dry up after that we experienced the occasional showers and our spirits were lifted.
“We managed a faster pace than planned, as we went into nightfall we were all getting quite tired, but the goal was in sight.”
Brian and his team arrived at Wales Air Ambulance’s base at Caernarfon Airport at 01.20am on Monday morning.
He said: “Our riding time showed thirteen hours and twenty-two minutes which was incredible. We did a team photo outside the gates of Wales Air Ambulance base and then went five hundred metres to our caravan kindly supplied by Thornley Leisure Parks, where a beer, shower and warm bed, awaited.”
The next day, Brian and his friends returned to the airbase to meet up with Elaine Orr, the Charity’s Regional Fundraising Manager for the North West, as well as family and friends.
He said: “It was fantastic for everyone to have a chance to look around the base and meet the crew. I got a bit emotional when shown around the helicopter, but thankfully this time I went in the front and not through the back door on a stretcher.”
Brian who served with the Royal Corp of Transport and did tours in Northern Ireland, Canada, and small operations all around the globe has already committed to doing next year’s 100km Cycle Challenge in aid of Wales Air Ambulance.
He said: “I am so proud of what we have all achieved as a team. But I did this for Wales Air Ambulance, it was always about the Charity, and I am so grateful to everyone in the team for giving me the chance to be able to do this.
“It’s thanks to them, that I am standing here, able to tell my story. You take things for granted, until you need them. They were there for me, and they will be there for you too, should you need them.”
He is now awaiting the arrival of Shane’s cycle jersey, the Wales and Lions star has agreed to donate it, after two of Brian’s supporters, Thornley Leisure and Crime Prevention Services sponsored the ex-winger’s shirt.
Brian said: “Over the years I’ve worked for both companies, and it’s wonderful to have their support for this challenge. Everything was so well organised, and I would thoroughly recommend it.
“We will be back next year! So, I plan to rally as much support as I can for next year’s ride and get as many cyclists as I can from North Wales to head South.”
He’s raised almost £2,000 through his Go Fund Me page Brian Hughes is fundraising for Wales Air Ambulance Charitable Trust, and a further £1,000 through Shane’s shirt sponsorship.
Gail Windley, Events & Partnerships Fundraiser said: “Brian is one of a kind! To take on not only the 100km cycle challenge, but to do a further 150 miles is extraordinary.
“It has been so wonderful for our team to be able to cheer both him and his team on, doing what he loves best, just six months after suffering a cardiac emergency.
“He is now part of the legacy of our service, and a wonderful champion of what we do.
“We are grateful for Brian, his team, and his sponsors Thornley Leisure and Crime Prevention Service support. Without the help of our fundraisers, we would not be able to do what we do.
“Every pound raised, truly makes a lifesaving difference.”
