A MAN is preparing to cycle thousands of miles from Monmouthshire to Africa and back – following swallows.

Ed Beverley-Jones, who will set off on the mammoth ride today (Wednesday), says it will be the first time he has ridden a bike in 20 years.

A professional pond keeper, Mr Beverley-Jones, who says he is known as ‘The Pond Guy’ across the area, is self funding the epic migration – totalling about 5,000 miles there and back.

He added: “I watch and communicate with them (swallows) all summer and then in the autumn I watch as they prepare their fledged young to make the journey to Africa.

"I started wondering about where they go and decided, well why not, I’ll follow their route to Africa.

“I haven’t been to Africa before. I plan to follow their course all the way there and as soon as I set foot in Tangier in Morocco I’ll head straight back.”

Mr Beverley-Jones will pedal, on a donated bike, from Wales – starting from the top of Sugar Loaf mountain in Monmouthshire – through England, and across France, to Spain, Portugal and, finally, Morocco. He will then make his way back.

Originally from Newport but currently living in Usk, the 43-year-old said he will be raising funds for St David’s Hospice Care.

They cared for one of his clients who died recently from a brain tumour.

Mr Beverley-Jones added: “The St David’s Hospice Care nurses cared for him so wonderfully during his last days. His wife told me that as he lay in his bed at home he was really concerned about his pond.

"I was glad to be able to put his mind at rest by ensuring that the pond was in tip top condition. After he passed his wife was so grateful she gave me a pair of trainers that he’d not had the chance to wear before he died.

"I shall be wearing those shoes on my trip in his memory.”

Gemma Sandhu, of St David’s Hospice Care, said: “It’s wonderful what Ed is doing for the charity and we wish him the very best on his migration from Wales to Africa and back with his swallows.”

To donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/ed-jones4