Ashmole & Co retired Partner will cycle 1,000 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise funds for MND Association

Ashmole & Co retired Partner, Dylan Harries, will cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats next month to raise vital funds for a charity close to the accountancy firm’s heart – the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Former Partner of Ashmole & Co, Bryan Jones, died of MND in 2020. Bryan worked for Ashmole & Co for 37 years, his entire working life. He started straight from school in 1974 and became a partner in 2001. He retired in 2011. Bryan’s wife, Mandy, still works for the firm in the Haverfordwest office and is one of the longest serving members of staff.

Dylan Harries and Bryan Jones used to work together in the firm’s Haverfordwest office as well as cycle together and Dylan will now take on this mamouth 1,000mile cycling challenge in memory of his friend and former colleague.

Dylan Harries, retired Partner in Ashmole & Co’s Haverfordwest office, said, “I recently had my biggest fitness test where I rode 100 miles. I managed to complete it despite atrocious weather. It was my first 100mile bike ride in a very long time and it has given me the confidence that I can complete the challenge next month. MND is a terrible disease that took my colleague far too young. We will be raising much needed funds for the MND Association so we would be grateful for any donations no matter how big or small.”

 In 2006 four cyclists including Bryan and Dylan embarked on a 500mile charity cycle ride. It was something they all wanted to do again but never had the opportunity. Seventeen years later, in Bryan’s memory, two of the original group, Dylan and Martin Mackintosh, have agreed to embark on this 1,000mile challenge with a friend, Andrew Rees. They will leave Land’s End on 6 September and plan to reach John O’Groats 13 days later.

If you are able to make a donation to help Dylan reach his fundraising target, this is the link to the Just Giving page:  MAD Boys End to End Challenge – MAD represents Martin, Andrew, Dylan fundraising for Motor Neurone Disease Association on JustGiving

Bryan was a very fit and active person when he was younger. He started road cycling, both socially and competitively, in his forties. He completed stages of the Tour de France, cycled the length of France and circumnavigated Wales. He was well known in Pembrokeshire and the world of cycling as he founded the Tour of Pembrokeshire Sportive, an annual fund-raising cycling event.

Motor Neurone Disease Association is a charity that is also close to the heart of Martin, with Martin’s father, John Mackintosh having suffered from Motor Neurone Disease. The team are self-funding the whole cost of this challenge so every penny raised will be passed on to MNDA.

Ashmole & Co Chartered and Certified Accountants have been established since 1897 and are one of the largest accountancy and auditing practices in Wales, operating from twelve offices throughout south and west Wales including Swansea, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest, Abergavenny, Ammanford, Llandovery and Newcastle Emlyn.