Lloyd Williams is thrilled to see the Cardiff Rugby charity bike ride return this year as participants prepare to cycle from the Arms Park to Paris.
It’s the third time Cardiff players, staff and supporters have swapped their rugby balls and boots for bib shorts and bikes, with the first two rides, to Paris (2015) and Amsterdam (2016), raising funds for Owen Williams and the #StayStrongForOws campaign.
Now under the banner of the Cardiff Rugby Community Foundation, which encompasses #StayStrongForOws and the club’s benevolent fund, the cycle with once again support the former Cardiff and Wales centre, others who have encountered hardship and the day-to-day charitable work of the foundation.
Williams, was of course on the pitch when namesake Owen, suffered his catastrophic spinal injury during the Singapore 10s tournament in 2014, and took part in the inaugural ride to Paris.
Reflecting on a year of devastating lows and bittersweet celebrations at the Eiffel Tower, he said: “It was at the end of an enjoyable week at the Singapore 10s but that left a real dark cloud over it all.
“It is something that group of players will forever remember the trip for and unfortunately the consequences of it. It was a pretty tough time for everyone out in Singapore and especially Ows.
“There was a lot of attention around it and rightly so. Everyone who was close to Ows, and Ows himself, was really grateful for that. I was chuffed it was getting the attention it needed.
“The cycle ride that summer was great and was something that helped everyone. I wasn’t very prepared for the cycle, I’m not sure many people were. But it was something people put a lot of effort into, in terms of the fundraising and taking part.
“It was a really enjoyable four days and four days that I won’t forget for a long time. It was a brilliant experience with people I hadn’t met before, I made some good mates and it was just a great way to raise money for the challenge. It was a lot of fun and a great way to see parts of Britain I hadn’t seen before.”
Now, seven years on, preparations are gathering pace for the latest ride to Paris and Williams is delighted to see the progress his former teammate and close friend has made.
Ows is living in a bespoke, purpose-built home funded by the club and became for the first time almost two years ago.
And while the Cardiff to Paris bike ride will continue to raise funds for the Aberdare man, it will also support others through the Community Foundation, which uses the powers and values of rugby to inspire, engage and improve opportunities for all.
Williams added: “I’m in awe of the way Ows has handled the situation and it just shows how mentally strong he is and how his family have rallied around him to help him through this. He is doing great and his daughter of two is gorgeous - he’s a credit to himself and always looking to kick on.
“To get another chance to do the cycle this summer is a great way to bring it (the campaign) back into the limelight not just for Ows but others in a similar situation.
“Unfortunately people do go through life-changing experiences. It’s helped Ows, and in turn it will help a wider audience which is only good for the community - if it helps one other person it’s doing its job,”