TRELLECH resident Ben Burnett has raised over £2,000 for the British Heart Foundation by completing a gruelling 630 mile cycle ride from Chepstow RFC to Basel, Switzerland. The week-long ride was completed last month in memory of Neil Allmark, and ended with a 3.2km swim in the river Rhine. Kingsley Jones of the Newport Gwent Dragons provided a fully signed rugby jersey which was given to Basel RFC by Burnett at the end of his trip. A Chepstow RFC Jersey was also presented, and Burnett received a Basel RFC Jersey in return.

Burnett said:

“The ride through France was a little tougher than expected with a few more hills and the fact that most of Northern France seemed to be on holiday, so water and food stops were far and few between. After seven days of cycling I swam a 3.2k section of the Rhine which was tough going after the cycle. Special thanks to Steve Hill who came along for the cycle, and to Deborah Zsigo at The Lion Inn, Trellech, who arranged a live music day at the pub which raised at least a quarter of my overal total.”