An engineer is taking on an adrenaline-fuelled bike ride to raise money for the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) life saving research after his mother died from a cardiac arrest when he was just 15-years-old.
Now 30, Lee Moore will be taking on the charity’s Milton Keynes Bike Ride, sponsored by Tesco and Jaffa, on 8th July to help raise money in the fight against heart disease. He and four others will be riding in memory of his mother Heidi who died when she was just 39-years-old.
Lee’s life changed dramatically on 4 June 2002. Heidi was found unresponsive in bed. Lee ran next door to get help from neighbours. Paramedics arrived and administered cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for 45 minutes. Heidi was struggling and the decision was made to get her to the nearest hospital as quickly as possible. Sadly Heidi passed away by the time the ambulance arrived at the hospital. Each year 30,000 people in the UK have an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, but the survival rate is less than 1 in 10.
The Milton Keynes Bike Ride is a brand new event for the BHF and cyclists can choose from a 50km or 50 mile on-road or off-road course. The cycle ride hopes to raise £65,000 for the BHF’s life saving research into heart disease.
Lee explains: “It was like any other morning, but then my living nightmare started. My mum was in bed and wasn’t breathing. I knew I couldn’t just stand there, watching my stepfather try to restart her heart. I had to do something."
“I have never run so quickly as I dashed to my neighbours screaming for help. We all did everything we could. But sadly my mum had passed way. She was just 39 and I was torn apart. Only the week before was my brother’s 21st birthday celebrations, where as usual my mum was the life and soul of the party."
“I had to stay strong for my sister, who was only 10 at the time. I was also just about to start my GCSEs and I knew my mum would want me to carry on. Through it all, I managed to sit all my exams, but I never told any of my friends what had happened."
“I’m taking part in the BHF’s Milton Keynes Bike Ride as it’s a great way to talk to like-minded people who have lost a loved one so unexpectedly to heart and circulatory disease. The fact that adults and children can take part also means that loved ones can spend valuable time together whilst raising money to keep more families together across the UK.”
All of the BHF’s cycling events are supported by the charity’s corporate partners Tesco and Jaffa. The Milton Keynes Bike Ride is ideal for both experienced cyclists and those who haven’t taken part in many cycling events before. The variety of distances make the challenge an achievable one whilst the stunning views and amazing atmosphere will allow you to see for yourself just how much fun can be had on two wheels.
To register for the Milton Keynes Bike Ride please visit bhf.org.uk/mkbikeride or contact the BHF events team at events@bhf.org.uk or 0845 130 8663
