Charitable Rhythwyn Evans raised more than £50,000 for the NHS by doing laps of his countryside home with his walking stick.
Retired dairy farmer Rhythwyn got the idea after watching national treasure Capt Tom raise more than £20million doing laps of his garden. But Rhythwyn died at home with his family around him, with his son David adding his father had enjoyed “a happy, long life and wonderful health until the last few months”.
“He was a remarkable man, he was the cornerstone of the family, he was the cornerstone of the community – he just epitomised what a person should be within the community.” Rhythwyn set out to raise £500 for his local health board but went to to raise 100 times that figure by walking around the bungalow home on a farm in Silian, in Ceredigion, Mid Wales.
He took on the challenge by doing the laps in reps of 10 to 15 at a time and did it over a 10-hour period in April 2020. Speaking ahead of the feat, Rhythwyn said: “I’ve lived to a ripe old age so now I want to give something back to the area I have always lived.
“This coronavirus has affected us out in the country as much as it has anybody. I’ll be starting in the morning before breakfast and I hope I will walk 21 times before breakfast.”
“Rhythwyn was the kindest, most interesting man I have ever met,” said his daughter-in-law Eryl Evans. “He has been an example to all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren on how to be human.
“He was a remarkable man, he was the cornerstone of the family, he was the cornerstone of the community – he just epitomised what a person should be within the community.” She said he chaired community council and was involved in farming discussion groups and local shows.
“His opinion was always very considered and thoughtful he would never have said anything for personal gain, it was always the community,” she said. Mr Evans spent time at Bronglais and Tregaron hospitals, as well as Allt y Mynydd care home in Llanybydder, before returning home last week.
He also had to be cared for in hospital after a fall last summer, his son said.
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