Bike ride helps charity supporting heart patients

Seven people have raised about £2,800 for a charity supporting heart patients, by cycling more than 100 miles (161km).

The group took part in the Aberdovey Bike Ride, cycling from Wolverhampton to Aberdyfi in Wales to help the Have a Heart rehabilitation centre in the city.

The site supports heart patients in their recovery and gives them exercise classes and personalised gym programmes.

Chris Scordis, one of those who took part in the event that attracted more than 300 people on Friday, said it was an "amazing achievement" by his group.

Mr Scordis is the manager of the cardiac rehabilitation service at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton and also the treasurer of Wolverhampton Coronary Aftercare Support Group (WCASG).

The charity was formed by ex-patients of the coronary care unit of the hospital in 1985 and raises funds to support the Have a Heart centre.

The seven left West Park, Wolverhampton, at 06:30 BST on Friday and finished at an Aberdovey yacht club between 15:00 and 16:00 BST.

Mr Scordis said it was "massively pleasing" to see patient Dennis Pearson complete the challenge in Wales.

Mr Pearson, who will be 73 on Tuesday, has had bypass surgery.

"It was an amazing achievement with the weather and heatwave for everyone to achieve that distance," Mr Scordis stated.

The charity supplements the running costs of the Have a Heart building to make it accessible to the community by keeping membership prices affordable, the treasurer said.

Last year, WCASG gave Have a Heart £21,000 in support and that figure was needed every year, he stated.

The money raised through Friday's rides represented "a nice chunk" and would make the overall target "a little bit easier to achieve".

Mr Scordis said the charity was the centre's main source of funding.

WCASG has over the years raised more than £2m to fund life-saving equipment, staff salaries, research and services for patients at the hospital's heart and lung centre and provide long-term exercise classes at Have a Heart Wolverhampton.

Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.