On a dry but cold day Team Rich completed the 106 km (66 miles) in a respectable 5 hours 6 minutes having climbed hills totalling 1575 m (just short of a mile) . Thanks to those who Rode for Rich and those who's generosity helped us to beat our £2000 target. #bemorelikeRich

On Sunday 5th May, myself and 10 of Richard’s family and friends will be taking part in the 2019 IoW Randonnee cycle ride in order to increase awareness and raise money in support of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). Perhaps you will already be aware that our son Richard, still an active, and apparently fit, rugby player died last June at the age of 32, whilst out on a cycle ride just a few miles away from his home in Surrey. We subsequently learned that he’d had a fatal heart attack and although CPR trained passers-by and paramedics were quickly on the scene, they were unable to save him. The devastation that this has caused to Richard’s family, colleagues and friends cannot be exaggerated. The alarming statistic is that this devastation affects approximately 12 families every week in the UK, who lose a loved one in the age range 14-35. Most of those are sporty individuals, unknowingly exposing themselves to an increased risk. The more alarming fact is that 80% of those deaths could potentially be avoided if routine cardiac screening of this age group was carried out! CRY, amongst other activities, carry out screening sessions for this age group and Richard’s memorial fund has already funded 3 of those, to take place at his rugby clubs;- Havant RFC, Bracknell RFC and Farnham RUFC, over the next 10-12 months – each will allow 100 young persons to be ECG screened. My own story is that despite thinking of myself as relatively fit 62-year-old, I discovered at the end of 2017 that I had Coronary Artery Disease and had to undergo a triple bypass operation in May last year – exactly a month before Richard died of essentially the same problem, but without any of the warning signs that I had had. There had been no prior family history of cardiac problems. The IoW Randonnee 100km event is one that Richard and I had done 3 times together in the past, so it has become both a recovery challenge for me and tribute to Richard’s memory. Those confirmed as joining me on May 5th are:- Chris Brember, James Hewitt, Simon Palmer, Steve Watt, Bob Whitworth,Tom and Amy Wood, Nigel & Kimberly Blackburn and Ian Wrightson. Most of you will probably know of a person, or persons, who are in the above demographic group so it's closer to all of us, than we might choose. Any donation would be appreciated. Gordon Brember