#RideforRich in memory of Richard Johnson 

Thursday 14th – Saturday 16th September 2023

On 15th September 2022, Richard died following a year of treatment for Kidney Cancer. Over the years he did several charity bike rides including 6 Countries in 3 Days in 2016 and Eiffel Tower to Blackpool Tower in 2019. 

Prior to his diagnosis, Richard’s next challenge was a dawn-til-dusk bike ride around the Vale of Glamorgan. Sadly, he never got the chance to do this.

On the anniversary of losing Richard, his family have planned a cycle challenge in his honour. The dawn-til-dusk ride and prior to that, a two day ride across South Wales, visiting the hospitals and rugby clubs he had worked.

Starting on Thursday 14th September, the ride will begin at Morriston Hospital, Swansea, via Neath Port Talbot Hospital and The Gnoll, then through to Rodney Parade, Newport - home of the Dragons. 

On Friday 15th, the ride will start at Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport with visits to UHW, Cardiff and Breast Test Wales on Cathedral Road and finishing by passing The Brewery Field before arriving at The Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend, where Richard worked since 1998.

On arrival, a ceremony will take place to unveil the naming of the Richard Johnson Day Surgery Unit.

The three days of cycling will conclude on Saturday 16th with a ride around the Vale of Glamorgan from dawn until dusk, in a circular route starting and finishing in St Brides Major. 

The family invite as many people to be involved in #RideforRich - taking part at any point in the day, either with the family or doing their own cycle ride. 

If you would like to get involved in any way, please contact rideforrichardjohnson@gmail.com

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In memory of Richard Johnson, the family request donations to be made to the Richard Johnson Endowment Fund within Cwm Taf Morgannwg NHS General Charitable Fund.

The Fund has been set up to raise money for the surgical services Richard dedicated 24 years of his career at Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend and the Breast Cancer service within various local hospitals Richard worked in. 

The family find comfort in knowing Richard can and will continue to help people in the local area in the years to come.

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Richard was a Consultant Breast and General Surgeon & Director of Acute Care at the Princess of Wales Hospital. He was a highly respected and treasured colleague, a talented surgeon and ambassador for his profession and a truly remarkable man.  His dedication and commitment to his patients and colleagues was immeasurable. He had a fantastic sense of humour and was a true gentleman.

In his most recent role prior to his illness, he was Director of Acute Care at the Princess of Wales Hospital, working as part of the senior leadership team responsible for the delivery of medical and surgical services across the hospital.  Richard had a clear vision for aspiring for clinical services to be the finest possible with strong governance and patient safety at its core.

Richard has played a pivotal role in leading surgical services both within his specialty of Breast and General surgery but also in his role as Clinical Director for Surgical Services over many years in both Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and its predecessor organisations.

Throughout and following the Covid-19 pandemic, Richard was one of the eminent voices championing the recovery of surgical services both in his role locally within the Princess of Wales Hospital but also nationally in his position as Director in Wales of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

He was a keen sportsman with an enormous passion for rugby, cricket, football and cycling. He had an extensive network outside of the NHS, being the club doctor over many years for the likes of Celtic Crusaders, South Wales Scorpions, Wales Rugby League and the Dragons among many others.

His loss to the profession, to the Princess of Wales Hospital, to colleagues and his friends and the wider community will be palpable. 

The kind words written by Gavin Owen, Richard's colleague