A British teenager has been hospitalized in China after sustaining head, neck, and leg injuries in a serious crash during a 6,000-mile charity bike ride.
Dyfan Hughes, 18, from Llangollen, North Wales, was traveling with friends Louis Dennis and James Thomas, both 19, when the accident occurred. The trio embarked on the journey from Wrexham a year ago with the goal of cycling to Chiang Mai, Thailand, to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.
According to a Facebook post from the group, Hughes is stable and receiving care in a hospital in China. "He has a head, neck and leg injury but he's stable and in one of the best places in the world for this kind of accident to get the best recovery out of him," the post stated. The friends expressed uncertainty about the trip's future but vowed to stay together, intending to reach Chiang Mai as a group.
The three friends quit their jobs to undertake the arduous journey. They are raising money in memory of Tony Edge, the father of a friend named Harrison, who died of a heart attack in 2024. Their fundraising page has accumulated nearly £50,000.
The cyclists typically spend six to eight hours daily on their bikes, camping or staying in budget accommodations. Their packed essentials include sleeping mats, sleeping bags, a tent, a stove, a first-aid kit, minimal clothing, and tinned food.
A statement on their fundraising page describes their mission: "We’re three young Welsh lads raising money for the British Heart Foundation in memory of a friend’s Dad. Think of this as backing three idiots on a mission. We will be sharing every pedal, every flat tyre, every breakdown, on social media, and using the platform we build to point people to BHF. Thank you for the support."
