THE deputy leader of Torfaen council is completing seven cycling challenges this year to raise money for charity.

Councillor Anthony Hunt, 35, has already completed three out of seven challenges he has set himself for this year in a bid to raise £1,000 for Macmillan cancer support.

He explained that he was inspired to take up the challenges after his uncle Nick, aged 57, died of a tumour last year.

Cllr Hunt, who lives in Griffithstown, said: “I decided this was the year I would complete the challenges for the charity as I know many people appreciate the work of Macmillan when they get such devastating news.”

He has already completed 2,000 miles of training and three of his challenges- and by the end of the last event in September, he would have covered between 5,000 to 6,000 miles.

The first challenge was the Tour of Pembrokeshire on April 25.

He explained that in a “rush of enthusiasm” he signed up to the longest route covering 106 miles and featuring nearly 10,000 feet of climbing.

He completed it in nine hours calling it a “very difficult” challenge.

Next he completed the White Roads Classic-a 70 mile sportive which takes in 15km of white gravel and chalk roads in Oxfordshire in July, before taking on the Velothon, which took him four and a half hours to complete the 87 mile route.

The father of two said: “I really enjoyed the Velothon and having the opportunity to have car free roads and take in the spectacular surrounds of Torfaen, especially in Blaenavon.”

He is now gearing up for his next challenge on August 2, Ride London 100, before taking on the mountainous Stelvio pass challenge - Europe’s second highest paved mountain pass- in Italy at the end of August He hopes to raise £1,000 for the charity and so far has raised £480.

To support his efforts visit www.justgiving.com/AnthonyJohnHunt/