100-mile cycle in memory of baby daughter

A WESTBURY man will be cycling 100 miles for charity later this month in memory of his daughter, who died just hours after being born. 

Richard Lamb will be joining thousands of other cyclists in the Prudential RideLondon sportive on 31st July. He is hoping to raise £1,000 for Tommy’s, a charity funding research into infant mortality, and has already passed £600 in sponsorship.

Richard chose Tommy’s because his daughter, Sophie, was born 13 weeks prematurely in 2013 and died when she was just seven hours old.

Richard said, “I chose Tommy’s because they work with something so close to my heart. The ride will be three years to the day that Sophie died, so I think it will be quite poignant.

“Miscarriage and neonatal death is much more common than people think, and it’s not something you ever consider until it happens to you. You get so excited about the pregnancy it’s the last thing on your mind, but it was absolutely devastating.

“I’m looking forward to the race, but am a bit apprehensive because I’ve never cycled 100 miles before!

“I was never a particularly keen cyclist before I started training, but I love it now. I cycled up the White Horse at the end of a 55-mile ride recently; I said at the time I’d never do it again, but I already want to get back out.

“I can’t wait to cycle through London on the closed roads and go past all the landmarks; I think it’ll be a great experience.”

The race, which last year saw over 25,000 riders take part, starts at the Olympic Park in London and takes a 100 mile route through the city and Surrey.

Richard will donate his sponsorship money to Tommy’s, which funds medical research into premature birth, stillbirth and miscarriages and also provides an information line for health during pregnancy.

To sponsor Richard go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/richard-lamb3