FOUR friends and passionate football fans will cycle 120 miles, from Cwmbran to Villa Park, next week in memory of Simon Pearce, an avid Aston Villa fan who died last year from bowel cancer.

Mr Pearce’s brother, Andrew, said: “My brother Simon bravely fought bowel cancer for over 18 months before losing his battle on October 19, 2017. He was 44 and left behind his wife and three children, who have been unbelievably brave since his death.

“He was an avid Aston Villa Fan for more than 20 years and even met his wife through the local Villa supporters club – the Gwentlions.”

Three of the club’s original members, with one more recent addition, will set off from Mr Pearce’s Cwmbran home on October 18, cycling via Newport and Chepstow to Villa’s stadium, where they will watch his favourite team play Swansea City on October 20.

They hope to raise money for St David’s Hospice Care, where Mr Pearce and his family received support during his illness, and for Bowel Cancer UK.

If you would like to donate to their causes, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/andrew-pearce17 or www.justgiving.com/fundraising/andrew-pearce16