A MAN from Barnsley is set to ride in one of the UK’s most iconic cycling events for charity in memory of his dad.
David Porter will be cycling the British Heart Foundation’s famous Manchester to Blackpool Night Ride which is about 52 miles and takes a scenic route through Lancashire.
He decided to take part to raise money for the charity which contributes towards funding life saving research into different heart conditions.
David’s father Tony died from organ failure in 2010 aged 63.
Tony, who was originally from the Hoyland area, was born with a heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot which is a condition that involves abnormalities of the structure of the heart.
He spent the majority of his childhood in and out of hospital due to this, and had two open heart surgeries before he was 14.
Despite being given a life expectancy of only 35 years, Tony went on to live a happy and good life where he was a professional driver and a member of the Territorial Army.
David, 41, Wentworth Road, Hoyland, said: “I believe that my dad was one of the first children to be treated for his conditions at Great Ormond Street Hospital. I think it heavily affected him during childhood but he went on to live a long and happy life. I’m one of four children and none of us were born with any heart problems, and there’s no history of heart problems in the family.
“I wanted to sign up to this event because I really enjoy cycling and it’s something a bit different to your ordinary cycle event.
“It’s especially important for me as it’s for the British Heart Foundation and I can ride in memory of my dad and help to raise money to fund research into congenital heart conditions like his.
“I’ll be riding with some of my colleagues and my friend Craig Kitchen. We’re hoping to get neon cycling gear so we can glow in the dark on the ride.”
Next Saturday, October 6, at midnight David, Craig, his colleagues and 3,000 other riders, will set off from the Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground and will ride to Blackpool sea front where the famous Blackpool illuminations will be switched on especially for the riders to enjoy.
