Family pick up cycling challenge after dad's death

A woman is taking on her father's charity cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats after he died suddenly half way through the two-week challenge.

Jes Oakley-Stafford said that in October her husband and some of her father's friends were planning to pick up the route where her father Eric collapsed near Settle.

Eric Oakley, 64, from Hampsthwaite near Harrogate, was raising money in memory of his father and his cycling buddy David Birtwistle who both died of cancer, when he died on 11 September.

Ms Oakley-Stafford said: “I don’t think we ever thought this would cost him his life, but it can’t be for nothing – this has to help people.”

On the seventh day of the challenge, the experienced cyclist collapsed and died from unknown causes, despite help from a passersby, his wife Jo and the emergency services.

Ms Oakley-Stafford said the last time she had seen her father was at her wedding four weeks ago.

“He spent his entire life doing things for other people,” she said.

“He was a very proud Yorkshireman and had not long passed the border when it happened. So at least he was in the right place.”

The family, Ms Oakley-Stafford, her sister Emma, 35, and their stepmother Jo, have upped their fundraising goal from a “humble” £2,000 to £20,000 and had raised more than £8,500 at time of writing.

“We lost my grandad 20 years ago,” said Ms Oakley-Stafford.

“He was our first big loss from cancer and then my dad's niece, my cousin, is fighting cancer at the moment.

"She was diagnosed in her 30s and understandably it upset dad.”

The original challenge was set to take 14 consecutive days and cover 1,018 miles (1,638 km).

Writing on his Just Giving page, Mr Oakley said it had been a tough start to the ride, documenting bad weather on day one.

"Hardest days riding I’ve ever done, especially in this horrendous weather," he wrote.

"Torrential rain all day, permanent 20mph head wind with gusts of 50/60mph winds. Great feeling of satisfaction having done it.”

Cancer Research UK spokesperson for North Yorkshire, Lisa Millett, said the charity sent its sincerest condolences to Mr Oakley’s family.

“We were devastated to learn about Eric’s death," she said.

“Eric was taking on a huge challenge to support the charity’s work and we are so grateful for his contribution."

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