Wrexham man's Evel Knievel motorbike challenge collects £95,000 for charity

  • Wales

In 2012 Jason Lewis from Coedpoeth near Wrexham set out to raise some money for Macmillan, after a member of his family had been ill.

Fundraising was going well, but he thought the event lacked an element of fun - and that's when the 'Cymru Knievels' were born.

The 44 year old has been at the helm of the event ever since.

Jason says riders can expect to see a whole different side of Wales as they raise money for charity Credit: Ride Cymru

Since 2015 motorcyclists from all across the UK join once a year for 'Ride Cymru' a 1,070 mile around the perimeter of Wales, mostly on back roads, to raise funds.

Each motorcyclist must be sponsored and to date their efforts have raised £95,000.

Jason says the camaraderie is special and lasting friendships are made every year, but sometimes the group does get mistaken for another famous face.

Jason says the event has grown in popularity over the past few years.

In 2019 it attracted over 60 Cymru Knievels and even broke a world record for the largest gathering of Knievels ever recorded - something Jason is extremely proud of.

As well as raising money Jason hopes the event can challenge people's Credit: Ride Cymru

Jason is one of four people in Wales to be nominated and shortlisted for the Pride of Britain ITV Fundraiser Award.

The award honours individuals who’ve really made a difference to others through their creative or tireless fundraising efforts.

One of the four shortlisted will be crowned Wales' ITV Fundraiser of the Year 2019 and will attend the star-studded awards ceremony in London at the end of October, where they could be in with a chance to win the overall UK Fundraiser 2019 award.

Last year's Wales winner was 31-year-old Josh Llewellyn-Jones, who raised over £80,000 to help children living with Cystic Fibrosis.