The CARTEN100 is an epic annual 100 mile cycle ride from Cardiff to Tenby. The event was established in 2004 by a small group of friends and has raised over £1 million for Welsh charities since its inception. The popular leisurely bike ride that takes place over roughly ten hours takes a fairly direct route using A roads, B roads and cycle routes between the two locations.
The event is a not for profit venture run by volunteers so that its nominated charities can benefit as much as possible. This year’s event, which will be held on Saturday 27th April, is themed ‘Riding Out Taboos’ and aims to raise funds and awareness for taboo areas of health for men and women. Prostate Cymru is one of the nominated charities along with Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, raising awareness of prostate and cervical cancer respectively. The ride will also give small donations to around eight other charities and organisations.
The money raised by CARTEN100 for Prostate Cymru will help fund the charity’s student bursaries known as travelling fellowships. The travelling fellowships help medical students further their urology knowledge and studies on their elective period. It is an important opportunity for those hoping to go into a career in urology as this area of medicine is not often taught thoroughly on university courses. The Ray Murray travelling fellowship is awarded to Cardiff University students, the Ray Williams travelling fellowship is awarded to Swansea University and new travelling fellowships are being created for Welsh students attending medical schools outside of Wales.
If you are a medical student at Cardiff University, Swansea University or are a Welsh medical student studying outside of Wales please get in touch with our office for further information and application forms.
Peter Palmer, organiser of the CARTEN100, said, “We are excited to be supporting Prostate Cymru at this year’s event, to raise funds and awareness for what is often seen as a taboo men’s health issue. To know that the money raised will help the next generation of urologists and ultimately Welsh men in the long term is really inspiring us to raise as much as we can for this great charity.”