A MONMOUTHSHIRE pond keeper is half way between an extinct volcano and one that is very much alive on a 4,000 mile cycle trip to raise funds for his adopted charity.

Usk-based Ed Beverley-Jones left the Sugar Loaf on October 25th and he is currently in the vicinity of Nice, well on the way to Sicily and Mount Etna.

The 43-year-old is travelling light, making camp by roadsides, finding food wherever he can and cooking on a small stove.

He is full of praise for people he has encountered along the route stating, ‘I have been helped tremendously by kind families throughout France; I have been welcomed into homes to shower and share good meals.’

An encounter with fuel protesters had a silver lining as they closed off a motorway, allowing Ed a free and easy run down toward the Italian border.

Ed has taken on the challenge to raise money for the St David’s Foundation, a charity close to his heart who helped him out during some hard times in his life.

Anyone wanting to support Ed can keep up with his travels on his Facebook page and make donations through any St Davids foundation shop.