The Wales and Cardiff Blues player’s sibling joined his father, Huw, and cyclists from all over Cardiff and the Welsh valleys on Sunday morning to support the fundraising campaign #staystrongforows following his serious rugby injury last summer.
The 25 mile cycle started at the Millennium Stadium and BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park before hitting the Taff Trail to the Ynys playing fields – representing Williams’ playing career from the community to the elite game.
The event also featured Wales assistant coach Robin McBryde, who handed Owen his international debut in Japan in 2013, Cardiff Blues coach Paul John as well as members of Aberdare RFC.
Following a gruelling 25 miles in the January wind, it was Gavin who arrived at the Ynys finish-line first after a pleasing 1 hour and 50 minutes.
“It wasn’t a race but I finished first,” laughed Gavin when he arrived in his hometown of Aberdare ahead of the 73 others. “I’m pretty pleased with that!”
But Gavin, a rugby officer at Aberdare Community School, was also keen to stress the importance of the event organised collaboratively by the WRU, Cardiff Blues and Aberdare RFC.
As well as raising the profile of the #staystrongforows campaign, the event aimed to raise significant sponsorship funds in Williams’ name via the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust which provides support for players in Wales who have been seriously injured in rugby.
“There’s been so much incredible positivity among the people involved today and the event is a great example of the support out there for Owen,” he said at the finish-line.
“The event means a massive amount to Owen and to our family. Every penny raised by the riders will play a part in shaping Owen’s future and will be a great help.
“It is events such as this that keeps him driving forward each day. Owen knows what’s going on and keeps in touch with the campaign through Twitter and this provides a massive boost for him.
“To have guys like Robin McBryde and Paul John coming together is great for the campaign and really raises the profile of the event. Seeing over seventy riders taking part is also a fantastic reminder of the great community that rugby is!”
The rugby community is set to come together on their bikes once more for the Cardiff to Paris bike ride organised by Cardiff Blues (from 3rd to 7th June, 2015). Further details can be found online: http://www.cardiffblues.com/community/7435.php
