'Tour de Hywel Dda' - Fundraisers cycle 200 miles up 18,000 feet in one day to raise awareness of lung cancer
Eight NHS workers and supporters have cycled over 200 miles to every hospital in the Hywel Dda health board area in one day to raise awareness of lung cancer.
The journey included cycling up a staggering 18,000 feet - the equivalent of climbing to the Everest Base Camp.
The group set off at 5am on Saturday 25th July and only arrived back at just before midnight.
They have already raised more than £2,500 for lung cancer nurses and diagnostic equipment in the health board's hospitals and facilities.
They started in Llanelli at Prince Philip Hospital, before visiting Amman valley Hospital, Llandovery Hospital, Tregaron,, Bronglais, Aberaeron, Cardigan, Withybush, South Pembs Hospital, Tenby before finally finishing at Glangwili Hospital.
The trip - nicknamed 'Tour de Hywel Dda' - included cycling over the Black mountain, along the Abergwesyn Road and through the Preseli's - all in one day.
Dr Gareth Collier MBE is a respiratory consultant. He completed the journey and told ITV Cymru Wales he was "very sore" on Sunday.
"To finish all together, you're really elated and so proud of everyone who was able to complete it but shear exhaustion as well. We really could not have gone on any further - it really was a last gasp effort to get to Glangwilli".
Dr Collier received recognition in HM The Queen's Birthday Honours in 2018 for services to Respiratory Medicine in lung cancer research, awareness & treatment.
He was keen to do the cycle "to acknowledge the contribution and effort hospitals of Hywel Dda have made during this crisis and also raise awareness of lung cancer patients who haven't been going to see their GPs for their symptoms" .
Steven Holmes helped with the organisation of the ride. His wife Jane was diagnosed with advanced Lung Cancer at the age of only 43.
After a successful range of treatments over the years, Jane has had recent clear scans. Steven said "It is important to raise awareness of the symptoms of Lung Cancer and making sure you go to your GP if you think something is not right.
"Early diagnosis is vital for successful outcomes and new treatments are being developed all the time. We also want to raise money towards adding equipment to aid the early diagnostic capability of the department."
Lung cancer is one of the most common and serious types of cancer in the UK with around 47,000 new diagnoses every year and 36,000 sadly dying from the disease. That's almost as much as Prostate, Breast and Bowel cancer combined.
There is a concern that people's fears over coronavirus will put them off from checking any symptoms with their GP.
Symptoms of lung cancer can include: A long standing cough gets worse; unexplained breathlessness; chest infections; coughing blood; unexplained weight loss; chest and/or shoulder pains; unexplained tiredness or lack of energy; hoarse voice.
Experts say there are many reasons why someone might have some of those symptoms. They say it is most likely that this will be nothing serious but if it is lung cancer, early diagnosis and treatment could save your life.
"200 miles in a day is a big effort and yeah feeling very tired but very pleased today to have got round", Dr Collier added.