IN a tribute to the memory of his wife Yvonne and to raise money for Phyllis Tuckwell, which looked after her in her last weeks, 72-year-old Michael Vint decided to undertake a bike ride which would leave him both exhausted and elated.

Fifty-four miles long, the annual London to Brighton bike ride takes cyclists from Clapham Common, through south London and out into the villages and country roads of Surrey and Sussex.

Although picturesque, the north and South Downs present riders with hill after endless hill, draining their energy before allowing them a final 10-mile downhill ride into Brighton town.

Mike, whose wife Yvonne died of a brain tumour in June 2014, had not cycled much since his youth and found that even three months of training didn’t prepare him for the number of hills which Surrey and Sussex have.

Mike’s long-term friend Alan Forder had suggested taking part in bike ride with himso that they could support and motivate each other along the way. Alan’s daughter Sharon and son David also took part and the group grew to four, who between them raised £1,030.

This money will go towards providing supportive and end of life care to patients and families like Yvonne and Mike, who are facing cancer, or another serious progressive illness.

Mike said: “The last 10 miles were the best. We rode downhill into Brighton, all four of us cycling along the beachfront next to each other, high-fiving friends and family who had come to cheer us on. And then seeing my daughter and grandchildren waiting for us at the finishing line – it just felt amazing. It was all worth it.”

For more information or to take part in a fundraising event contact [email protected] or call 01252 729446.