Steeley at 65: Welsh Rugby Favourite takes on Cardiff Half Marathon for Shine
Phil Steele joins record-breaking 21-strong Team Shine in support of people living with spina bifida and hydrocephalus
Welsh rugby broadcasting legend and renowned after-dinner speaker Phil Steele is celebrating his 65th birthday by taking on the Cardiff Half Marathon to raise funds for Shine, the charity supporting people living with spina bifida and hydrocephalus.
Known and respected across Welsh rugby for his decades of dedication to the game, Phil has spent a lifetime bringing rugby stories to life and entertaining audiences across Wales. Now, he is taking on a very different challenge in support of a cause close to his heart.
Phil is part of Team Shine, a 21-strong group taking part in this year's Cardiff Half Marathon, making it the charity's largest-ever team to enter the event. Together, the runners hope to raise vital funds and awareness for people living with spina bifida and hydrocephalus across Wales and the UK.
Phil's motivation comes from his nephew, Harry, 26, who was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Through Harry, Phil has seen first-hand both the challenges associated with these complex neurological conditions and the resilience of those who live with them every day.
Shine is the UK's leading charity supporting people with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, providing specialist information, advice, advocacy and community support from before birth through to later life.
Phil Steele said:
“I've seen for myself the fantastic work that Shine does in helping and supporting both adults and children living with Spina Bifida and/or Hydrocephalus and their families, so when I decided to take on the half-marathon challenge to celebrate reaching 65 I was delighted to choose Shine as my benefiting charity.
The last time I ran a half marathon was in 1985 when as a 24-year-old P.E. teacher, I completed the Cynon Valley Half Marathon in 1 hour 32 mins. I doubt I'd do that time in a car these days!
I'll be following the advice given to me by the former Olympic Long Jump Gold Medallist Lynn Davies who told me to 'start off slowly and get slower.”
Harry, from Pembrokeshire in West Wales, is delighted that his uncle is taking on the challenge and could not resist teasing him about it.
Harry said:
"I can't run because of my disability, so I like to think that my Uncle Phil is running in my place. The only thing is... will he make it? He is 65 after all!!"
"In all seriousness, I'm incredibly proud that he's doing this. Shine has been there for people like me throughout our lives and I hope lots of people will support him and help raise money for such a brilliant charity."
Marie Chauhan, Shine's Regional Fundraiser for Wales, said:
"We're delighted to have Phil as part of Team Shine and grateful for his support. With 21 runners taking part, this is our biggest Cardiff Half Marathon team to date, and every donation will help us continue supporting people and families affected by spina bifida and hydrocephalus."
As he celebrates this milestone birthday, Phil is hoping rugby supporters, friends, colleagues and the wider Welsh community will get behind his fundraising effort.
To support Phil's Cardiff Half Marathon challenge, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/philip-steele-6