Cyclists finish journey in memory of James Haggerty

CYCLISTS led by the father of James Haggerty, who died of a rare heart condition last March, have completed a 170 mile journey in memory of the Bexhill teenager.

The group of 27, which included family friends and staff from Battle Abbey School, Russell Haggerty's workplace, pedalled from Battle to Lille over four days.

"The last night in France found some very relieved and sore novice cyclists thankful that they had achieved not only a personal goal but had raised funds for mobile scanning units via Cardiac Risk in the Young in memory of James," said Russell.

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Despite having to fit a live BBC Sussex radio broadcast in around grazed knees and wrong turnings on the first day, the team made excellent time and went on to travel from Folkestone to Calais by ferry.

After months of training, the optimistic crew reckoned the 37-mile second day stint to St Omer would be "a walk in the park," but 28 degree heat, several punctures, a change of route that took in numerous hills and competitive riders all took their toll on the gruelling eight-hour stretch.

The cyclists covered their own expenses for the trip, meaning all the money raised will go to CRY - the charity Russell and his wife Jackie have chosen to support after James' tragic death.

A final total will be announced as soon as the money is collected and counted.

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Since last March, the pair have campaigned tirelessly to promote awareness of cardiac conditions, urging parents to get their children checked out and to visit the charity's website, www.c-r-y.org.uk.

Russell, who has the full support of the founder of CRY, said he and friends are already mulling their next stunt.

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