A determined fundraiser is celebrating six years since he underwent a heart transplant by cycling from one side of Britain to the other.
David Ayre received his new heart at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester in June 2015.
Yesterday he began his 215 charity cycle ride from Southport to Hornsea alongside friends in the ‘David Ayre’s Coast2Coast Cycle Ride.
He is inviting people to donate to his appeal to raise funds for the New Start heart charity.
He said: “I am taking part in a sponsored cycling challenge from Southport on the west coast, across the Pennines, ending in Hornsea, on the east coast, a total of 215 miles. Alongside me, will be a mixture of old Ashington Grammar School and Alsager College friends.
“The event aims to raise funds for the Wythenshawe-based heart charity ‘New Start’, which helps support the transplant unit by purchasing vital equipment for the transplant process, as well as providing accommodation for family members of transplant patients to stay close to their loved ones. Furthermore, it helps fund the hospital’s transplant sports team and individuals within it, to attend the British Transplant Games, European Games and the World Games.
“In addition, I will be celebrating six years since my own heart transplant in June, 2015. Again, I thank my donor family for such an incredible gift of life and the dedicated staff at Wythenshawe Hospital, which enabled me to survive a crisis and live to experience becoming a proud grandad to three fantastic boys.
“If you could spare any amount, however small, it would be greatly appreciated by all at the charity and by the ageing cyclists who are taking up this challenge.
“Many thanks to all fellow cyclists and sponsors.”
The route is:
Day One: Southport, Formby, Aintree, Hale, Widnes, Warrington & arriving Altrincham at about 5pm
Day Two: Altrincham, Stretford, Stockport, Hyde, Hadfield, Windle Edge & arriving Pennistone approx 5.30pm
Day Three: Pennistone, Worsbrough, Burton upon Dearne, Conisbrough, Bentley, Braithwaite, Skyehouse, Snaith, Hirst Courtney and arriving Selby approx 5.30- 5.45
Day Four: Selby, Howden, Yorkfleet, Broomfleet, Ellerker, Brantingham, Welton, North Ferriby, Hessle, Hull centre, New Ellerby, Great & Little Hatfield and finally arriving at Hornsea at about 5pm- 5.30pm
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