School homes plan on hold
A PLAN to transform a former school into homes has been delayed by at least a year after a row over an historic covenant for the site.
THE news he had been diagnosed with cancer came as a huge shock to superfit dad Gareth Jones and his family in 2014.
But the father-of-two is now gearing up to take part in the Cardiff Triathlon this summer having also run the London Marathon twice since being given the all-clear from the disease.
Gareth, 33, from Aberdare, will swim, cycle and run as part of the gruelling event in the capital in June to raise money for Cardiff charity Velindre Cancer Centre, where he received six months of intensive treatment.
Construction site manager Gareth was diagnosed with lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, back in January 2014, just three months after the birth of his youngest son, Tomos.
He started treatment a month later, and explained: “It was quite a shock and the worry of not knowing whether I was going to come through it.
“My little boy had just been born and so it was a real struggle, having a newborn in the house and dealing with my disease.
“It was a difficult time, emotionally and financially, because my wife was on maternity leave and I had to take leave from work.”
Gareth then underwent treatment for six months before being given the all- clear in June. The news I was OK was such a relief, just to be alive. You see a lot of people unfortunately don’t come through it like I did,” he explained.
He added: “My wife was amazing. It made us stronger as a family so a lot of good things have come from the whole process. “There’s still the worry it could come back so you have got to live your life that much more. I’m just so grateful for all the support from my friends at the time, too.”
Gareth is one of 20 people taking part in the Cardiff Triathlon for Velindre, and had high praise for the charity.
He said: “It’s an amazing cause and what they do is remarkable, they saved my life. I wanted d to do the triathlon to give e something back and raise awareness.
“Every time I go back to Velindre for checkups and see how much of an amazing place it is, it’s really quite overwhelming.
“They don’t get much funding so every day the money they use comes from fundraising.
“When I had my treatment there, nothing was a hassle for them and everyone always has a smile on their face.
“I really cannot speak highly enough about them.”
Gareth is now looking forward to and training hard for the June event, which will take place around Cardiff Bay and see participants swim, cycle on flat scenic roads around the city, finishing with a stunning run out to the Barrage.
It may not be the first high-intensity sporting event Gareth has taken part in, having done a Half Ironman and number of triathlons before his diagnosis as well as the 2015 and 2016 London Marathons after it, but he said fitting in training around work is proving to be a struggle.
He said: “I have always had a good base fitness; it’s just about tweaking it to the event I want to do, but work is really taking over at the moment.
“It’s the first triathlon I have done since the cancer. It will be a real kick up the backside for me.”
To donate to, visit: www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/jones262