HUNDREDS of bikers rode through Pontypool in tribute to a popular member of their club who died one year ago.

Around 250 members of the Valleys Commandos Motorcycle Club (VCMC) turned out for the ride through Pontypool and Cwmbran in memory of former Pontypool VCMC chapter president Michael ‘Miffa’ Matthews, who died on March 25 last year.

Bikers set off from Pontypool United RFC, where Mr Matthews’ father, Tom, was the club’s chairman for 40 years before passing away in 2013.

The ride raised money for the mental health charity Mind, with around £1,000 thought to have been raised, although the total is still being counted.

Colin Williams, a member of VCMC and former friend of Mr Matthews, said: “It was an absolutely brilliant day.

“We had a good turn-out of riders which was helped by the sunny weather.

“I knew Miffa for about a year before he died, but it felt like I had known him for a long time.

“He was somebody who was easy to get along with and one of the nicest guys you could talk to.

“I’ll remember him as a real gentleman and a gentle giant.”

Mr Matthews, who died aged in his 50s, was a keen motorcyclist and had been a member of the armed forces. The ride on Saturday was also attended by his son and brother.

Sarah Carmock, who helped organise the ride, said the the turn-out exceeded expectations. She said she believes the club has achieved its target of raising £1,000.

A similar procession of hundreds of bikers also swept across Pontypool last year for Mr Matthew’s funeral.

After his death, a neighbour described Mr Matthews as a “genuine bloke who always had time to speak to you even if you didn’t really know him.”

The VCMC — Wales’ largest motorbike club — has a reputation for fundraising for various charities.

These range from Wales Air Ambulance and the homeless centre Olive Branch Day Centre to Blackwood woman Trudy Jones who was killed in the Tunisia terror attacks.

Mr Williams said they chose to raise money for Mind because there are a lot of people who suffer from mental health problems. He said he hopes the ride also raises awareness about mental health. Mind — founded in 1946 — offers information and advice to people with mental health problems and works to raise awareness.