By Olivia Grist

Exercise has kept many of us going throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, but Roy Gee has been going the extra mile. 

The 82-year-old, from Dinas Powys, has decided to cycle 1000 miles for charity – the equivalent of John o Groats to Lands End – on an indoor bike after losing his son to a brain tumour.

David Gee was 49 when he died in November 2019.

He left behind a wife and two children.

Roy describes David as a fit and healthy man who was in the police force.

“I went to visit David’s wife in Sussex and noticed there was an indoor bike that was going to be thrown away, so I took it home.

“Cycling breaks the day up for me, but more importantly it makes me feel closer to David and like I’m doing something for him,” he said.

Roy started his cycle on the 14^th of December 2020 and cycles 15 miles a day. 

So far he has cycled more than 700 miles.

Roy has decided to use this challenge as a way to raise money for The Brain Tumor Charity.

Initially, Roy wanted to raise £1,000 for the 1000 miles he would be cycling, but he quickly passed his target so changed it to £1,300. 

The total is now £1,740.

He said: “So many people have donated, including strangers.

“I can’t believe it!”

Not only has cycling helped Roy come to terms with the loss of his son, but it has also led him on a trip down memory lane.

“I found a load of old music albums that I haven’t listened to in years in the room David’s bike is in, so every time I cycle, I put a new one on.

He added: “I’ve gone back to the 50’s and 60’s at the moment.”

Roy hopes to complete his 1000-mile challenge by the 21^st of March this year.

Anyone wishing to donate can do so on his just giving page.