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Heart-op Gareth's 48-mile bike ride
4:00am Saturday 5th July 2008
By James Connell »
A MAN who had life-saving open heart surgery will join a bike ride tomorrow to raise cash for others like him, including his sick son.
Gareth Somers has signed up for the Hearts First Bike Ride in Worcester and he hopes to raise at least £200 for the British Heart Foundation.
Mr Somers had open heart surgery when he was four years old to repair a hole in the heart. Now, aged 48, he wants to help others like him, including his son, 17-year-old James, who also has serious heart problems.
Mr Somers, of High Street, Feckenham, near Redditch, said he was completing the 48-mile race because he wanted to give something back.
He said: “As I have grown I have had to have some ongoing procedures and two years ago I realised that there is life after heart disease. I took cycling up to get fit and help raise the profile of the British Heart Foundation.”
Tomorrow’s ride at Worcester Racecourse is open to everyone and has routes of eight, 32 or 48 miles.
Vicki Spencer, BHF event organiser, said: “The inspirational stories that come from some of the participants are just phenomenal.”
Mr Somers is also taking part in the 300-mile (483 km) London to Paris Bike Ride between Tuesday, July 22, and Saturday, July 26, for Action Medical Research.
For more information about the Worcester bike ride call the NHF free on 0800 169 3672 or register online at bhf.org.uk/worcester.
Entry to the Hearts First Worcester Bike Ride is being held in conjunction with Worcester City Council’s Choose How You Move Scheme.
The entry fee is £10 for adults and £5 for under 16s.
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