AN Abergavenny vicar has been inspired by the success of Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas to adopt pedal power as a means of raising money for a restoration project.

The Rev.Julian Gray will get on his bike on Saturday, August 11 to cycle the 50-mile distance between Brecon and Newport Cathedrals, along the Monmouthshire/Brecon canal towpath.

The vicar at St Teilo’s Church, Llantilio Pertholey will be joined by two of his parishioners, Steve Bull and 17-year-old Osian Jones to raise money for the conversion of an old stone shed in the churchyard into a chapel of remembrance for quiet prayer and reflection for visitors.

The chapel will be an integral part of the existing wildflower Bible garden with its outdoor stations of the cross which features wooden crosses from around the world. The new building will also serve as a memorial to the men from the parish who died in World War 1.

Some of the money raised by the intrepid trio will go towards Bettws Chapel’s new roof fund. This ancient place of worship in the Black Mountains has a small but lively congregation as it is a focal point for the community in a sparsely populated part of Monmouthshire. Half of the £40,000 cost has already been raised.

Father Julian also wants some of the money to go to Motor Neurone Research. He said, "My dear mother Audrey Gray died from the disease in 2007 and Margaret Turner, a greatly loved member of the congregation at St Teilo’s also passed away from this terrible disease."

Osian Jones said, "I am an avid rugby player and fan and have been moved by the courage of players Joost van der Westhuizen and Doddie Weit in their battle with MND, and my beloved Auntie Audrey also battled the disease. When I heard the ride was for MND and St Teilo’s Church, where I was christened and confirmed, I asked Father Julian if I could join in. My grandparents Tom and Val Jones were both churchwardens there."