Three volunteer cyclists operating under the banner of Riding Against Cancer (RAC) have completed a 300-mile charity ride from St David's to Lowestoft in five days, raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. The team, comprising Russell Lord and Matt Stone from Milton Keynes and Ian Morgan from Swansea, finished the challenge on July 16, 2026, despite battling a UK heatwave.
Personal Motivation Behind the Ride
Every turn of the wheel carries a deeply personal purpose for the trio. The rides serve as a living tribute to the late Ann Vivian Lord and Anita Morgan. Russell Lord explained: "It's something I started back in 2022 in memory of my lovely Mum, who we lost to oesophageal cancer in 2012. Mum had raised over £60,000 in her lifetime for cancer charities, and that inspired me to try to raise more."
Ian Morgan added: "We lost our Mum to cancer and cared for her at the end. It was a difficult time and as our Dad had dementia, he couldn't grasp what was happening. We didn't have time to grieve as he deteriorated quite quickly and we then had to care for him."
Fundraising Progress and Support
The team's first ride, RAC V1, raised £10,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support with Russell Lord, his daughter, and friends Nat and Rob. RAC V2 in 2024 raised £20,000 with Russell, Ian, Matt, and Rob. The current campaign, RAC V3, aims to raise over £20,000 through a year of fundraising and cycling challenges.
Ian Morgan expressed gratitude: "I'd like to thank everyone who has supported us along the way, it has been incredible and made the long days easier. I'd also like to thank my brother, Gareth Morgan, for driving alongside us the whole way and providing us with water and snacks when we needed it."
Sponsors and Beer-Themed Fundraising
Several breweries have sponsored the team, including Mosaic Board Print Ltd, Brewdog, and Haven Holiday Cottages Tenby. Mosaic Board Print Ltd has designed beer mats for each challenge, supplying hundreds for the team to distribute. Brewdog has created a Ride Against Cancer beer, available on the Brewdog website, with all profits going to the charity.
The team has organised a raffle to take place after the final challenge. Haven Holiday Cottages Tenby has provided the top prize: a one-week stay in one of their cottages.
Upcoming Challenge: UK to Berlin
The team's next and most ambitious adventure, RidingAgainstCancerV3, will be a multi-day charity cycle from the UK to Berlin. The event starts at Brewdog Waterloo on August 27, 2026, and finishes in Berlin on September 3, 2026. The cyclists will cover approximately 1,400 kilometres in eight days, passing through France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Matt Stone said: "Cancer is the lottery no-one wants to win. We've all been affected by it one way or another. I hope by raising money for Macmillan I can play a small part in making things better." Ian Morgan reflected: "Taking part in Riding Against Cancer has been part of my healing process and to do it with my brothers has been great."
Supporters can follow the team's progress via social media and their website, or donate through their fundraising page.
