COLEG Gwent faculty director Ian Millward led from the front when he saddled up and cycled the extra mile to support St David's Hospice Care.

Academic and Enterprise Studies director Mr Millward pedalled from the crack of dawn to twilight starting from his home and visiting all five Coleg Gwent campuses in a single day covering a mammoth 200-plus miles.

The ride, which saw keen cyclist Mr Millward visit the Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone before heading to Crosskeys, Newport, Cwmbran and Usk, was part of the Coleg Gwent's Go the Extra Mile Day in support of their charity of the year, Newport-based St David's Hospice Care.

Mr Millward, who was accompanied on sections of the gruelling ride by college staff cyclists, said: "It turned out to be an epic journey not just for me and my fellow cyclists but also those other staff and learners who took part in a whole range of fund raising-activities on the day in support of the hospice.

"I have never before travelled that far on a bicycle in a single day so it was quite a challenge which started at 5.30am and finished at around 8pm."

Learners, teaching staff and supporters took part in a range of activities during the day at the five campuses which included everything from danceathons to spin classes, walks to cross training sessions and rugby sessions.

The total distance covered during the day by various individuals and groups completing a range of activities was an impressive 4,600 miles raising thousands of pounds for the hospice along the way.

Tania Ansell, of St David's Hospice Care who took part in some of the events at the recently-opened Torfaen Learning Zone in Cwmbran, said: "I can tell from personal experience on the day that Coleg Gwent staff and learners put their heart and souls into the activities in support of the hospice.

"We are very grateful to them all for their tremendous efforts to raise funds in support of the hospice and for Coleg Gwent naming us as their charity of the year, at this very challenging time in our long history.

"On behalf of all the patients and staff at St David’s Hospice Care, thank you everyone! Ian’s achievement is amazing, well done on completing the 200-mile challenge. We have been truly humbled and bowled over by your enthusiasm and passion for raising money for the hospice and going the #ExtraMile.

"We can provide our dedicated service throughout our community at no cost to the patients because of what you at Coleg Gwent and others like you are doing! We are so proud of you all. Take a bow Coleg Gwent!”

St David's Hospice Care offers palliative and end of life care to patients and their families facing the most difficult time of their lives.

The hospice needs £8.5 million a year to run its range of services including its inpatient hospice and day hospices. The hospice funds 70 per cent of its clinical services through its events and its shops.

Here are some of the fantastic achievements of students and staff who took part n the Extra Mile challenge:

  • Lecturer Lisette Edwards swam 110 lengths, covering a distance of 1.7 miles in just one hour
  • Crosskeys A-level PE students ran three miles.
  • Torfaen Learning Zone Business learners walked 6.2 miles.
  • Fastest mile challenge – on the bike, treadmill, skier and rowing machine – at Crosskeys Campus and Torfaen Learning Zone, supported by Simply Gym Cwmbran.
  • Crosskeys Sports students and staff took part in the ‘Miles per Man’ challenge.
  • BTEC Business Students at Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone did a 4.5-mile sponsored walk.
  • Level 2 Fitness learners at Usk Campus took part in spin sessions led by Part-time Gym Instructor learner, Zoe Jennings, who recently lost an inspirational 12 stone.
  • Head of School Helen Morgan cycled 100 miles.
  • Staff members Rhiannon and Stacey completed a 10-mile run.
  • Sports Lecturer, Joel Morgan, from Usk Campus cycled 30 miles.
  • The Welsh Bilingualism Department covered 35 miles between them.
  • Learning Coach David Morgan cycled 120 miles on the stationary bike at Usk Campus.
  • Jess Pike, employer engagement advisor, walked 28 miles along the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal in eight hours, 48 minutes.
  • The Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone team cycled 70 miles, finishing just after midnight.
  • Dan Coles, director of external engagement, ran 8.5 miles around Risca Leisure Centre.
  • Layla Pearce, Faculty Improvement Lead, walked 10 miles with learners from Crosskeys campus, finishing off with an indoor bike session.
  • The External Engagement Team conquered Sugar Loaf Mountain.
  • There were a series of outdoor games and a Dance-athon at Torfaen Learning Zone.
  • Crosskeys Campus Motor Vehicle staff tackled all three of the local peaks on foot.
  • Vice Principal Nicola Gamlin took time out of her annual leave to walk six miles around Windsor Castle.
  • Vice Principal Lynda Astell hopped on her bike in support of the charity.
  • Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone – 205 miles were covered at our Ebbw Vale Campus.
  • Crosskeys Campus – more than 100 students and staff covered 417 miles by walking, running, cycling and rowing.
  • Torfaen Learning Zone – with almost two million steps and an equivalent distance of the circumference of Wales, Torfaen Learning Zone covered an incredible 1,128.74 miles.
  • Usk Campus – students and staff achieved a huge 1,005.29 miles between them.

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ColegGwent