A funeral director from Ystalyfera in Neath Port Talbot is gearing up to cycle 437 in four days from Scotland to Wales to raise money for Wales Air Ambulance next month.
Steffan Lloyd Castle will bike from Edinburgh Castle to Abercrave Rugby Club, where he normally plays, starting on 6th June. He is hoping to raise £6,500 or more for Wales Air Ambulance.
Lloyd Castle has a very personal connection to the service. In October 2024, his beloved uncle, father figure and best friend Kevin died suddenly following a cardiac arrest at the wheel of his lorry. Wales Air Ambulance were among the emergency services that attended.
“It is devastating to lose someone you love suddenly. It was such a big shock for the whole family. We’re all so grateful to all those who attended my uncle and tried to help him and I cannot thank the Wales Air Ambulance team enough, for all they did,” Lloyd Castle says.
The 27-year-old has worked for Roger Castle and Daughter Funeral Directors for nine years. “When I first started working for my auntie [Julie, Kevin’s wife], if there were any out-of-hours call-outs, I got to be with
Kevin. He had his own haulage company, but for the first six or seven years of my career we often teamed up,” he says.
Lloyd Castle adds: “My partner Jess is an A&E nurse, my father-in-law is a paramedic and sister-in-law Sarah, works in a critical care unit so I have the utmost respect for all those who work in frontline healthcare. Nothing could be done to help my uncle, but I know he would want others to have the best
chance of survival. His legacy is that he has inspired me to get on my bike, to help raise as much money as I can and hopefully make a difference.”
Lloyd Castle has had to give up playing for Abercrave while in training for his mammoth task. He’s on a strict training regime, working with a personal trainer and a nutritionist to ensure he is ready for the rigours of the ride.
Many local businesses have pitched in with sponsorship, and he asked for special thanks to go to Black Mountain Fencing for paying for his entire kit. Lloyd Castle will be literally flying the flag for his sponsors draped in a flag bearing their names. His partner will be charting his progress on social media, and friend and colleague Andrew Lane will be ransporting the bike, nutrition and extra kit.
Https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/steffancastlebikeride
In memory of Uncle Kevin