GWENT charity fund raiser Dave Rees has really been put on the spot.

Keen cyclist Dave, of St Julians, Newport, was been handed a top national award in recognition of the unstinting efforts he has put into work staging the Dalmatian Bike Ride and other fund raising events.

The ride has so far raised a staggering £101,000 for St David’s Hospice Care and St Anne’s Hospice, over the past four years.

This year, with the event supported by Newport-based multi-specialist recruitment and training agency Acorn, organisers are hoping to add a further £50,000 in its fifth year.

Dave, who started the event after his late father in law John Dixon was cared for by the Newport-based charity, has been nominated by his employer Kwikfit for one its coveted hero awards.

His wife Jan said: “Dave is a very special person. He is always caring and looking out for other people and putting others ahead of himself.”

Tania Ansell, of St David’s Hospice Care, said: “Dave has a huge heart. If he spots someone in need or who needs help he will always do whatever he can. Organising an event like the Dalmatian Bike Ride and raising £101,000 is quite exceptional and Dave is involved in loads of other charity fund raising as well.

“We are extremely proud of him and the tremendous work he has done over the years to support St David’s Hospice care and St Anne’s Hospice. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this Kwikfit Hero an award than Dave.”

Dave Rees said: “I was gob smacked and very humbled when I was given this award and recognition. The Dalmatian Bike Ride is down to a whole load of people that ensure that we get the event on every year and that it continues to raised funds for St David’s Hospice Care,

But why is it called the Dalmatian Bike Ride?

“Well, after the first year, we decided we wanted to make the ride an annual event, make it bigger with 100 riders taking part and tried to think of a catchy name. One of the riders suggested we should have 101 riders and call it the Dalmatian bike ride and it just stuck.”

Places are still available for the Dalmatian Bike Ride, which covers two courses 20 or 40 miles in an around Newport ending at The Priory in Caerleon, which is on Saturday, June 4.

For more details visit www.dalmatianbikeride.com or www.stdavidshospicecare.com or call 01633 851051.