The players will take on the gruelling 390km bike ride from Yosemite National Park to San Francisco, with a spectacular finish over the iconic Golden Gate Bridge from 16 - 24 September 2012. The aim is to raise funds for lung cancer research at Velindre Cancer Centre and the Blues have arranged a charity collection for Velindre at the Blues v Scarlets game on Saturday 24 March.

The Captains California Bike Ride follows on the success of the Brains SA Captains Climb, when 15 Welsh Rugby Captains and Welsh coach Warren Gatland, along with 30 other intrepid trekkers climbed to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, and raised over £470,000 for the Stepping Stones Appeal.

The Captains California Bike Ride has already attracted celebrity involvement from some high profile USA based stars, with Ioan Gruffydd and Matthew Rhys pledging their support.

The Captains California Bike Ride will be led by Velindre Fundraising President Jonathan Davies, Velindre Fundraising patron Martyn Williams and fellow Welsh captain Mike Hall:

Speaking of the ride, Martyn Williams said:

"It is an honour to be Patron of Velindre which is a charity very close to my heart."

"I'm really looking forward to teaming up with the other cyclists for what I'm sure will be a tough but hopefully rewarding ride in California."

"It's great that the Blues have arranged a collection for Velindre at the Scarlets match and I'm urging both sets of supporters to give generously for what is a great cause."

To make a donation online please visit: www.justgiving.com/martynscaliforniabikeride or text MART49 to 70070 to donate £2 to Velindre.

About Velindre Cancer Care

Velindre Cancer Centre has been providing care and support to Welsh cancer patients for over 50 years. Every possible effort is made to ensure that each visit to Velindre is as comfortable as possible, and our experienced staff aim to provide high quality care to patients and their families.

More people in Wales survive cancer now than ever before thanks to early detection and better treatments. It is estimated that by 2015 there will be a 30% increase in the most common forms of cancer in Wales; we are determined to raise the money necessary to enable us to meet these new challenges.

If you would like more information please visit our website www.velindrefundraising.com Phone Fundraising on 029 2031 6211 or email info@velindrefundraising.com Contact Andrew Morris, Head of Fundraising, on 029 2031 6239or Kylie McKee, Deputy Head of Fundraising, on 029 2031 6211

We have been providing care and support to Welsh cancer patients for over 50 years. We are the largest non surgical cancer Hospital in Wales providing Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy and other specialised anti-cancer treatments for over half the people diagnosed with cancer in Wales.

On average every year Velindre Cancer Centre provides care, treatment and support for over 130,000 out patients and day cases.

There are nearly 2,000 people newly diagnosed with lung cancer in Wales every year. Although most cases are associated with smoking, we are seeing an increased number of suffers who have never smoked.
Lung cancer is the most common form of cancer death in Wales and it is estimated by 2015 there will be a 30% increase in the most common forms of cancer in Wales.

Being diagnosed and dealing with the effects of cancer can be a traumatic time for patients and families; our Specialist Nurses provide the highest level of supportive care when it is most needed. It is Velindre Cancer Centre's aim that ALL patients have access to a named specialist nurse.