Duo stunned by Rustington’s overwhelming gift

David Bacon, of North Lane, united with work colleague, Julia Champion, when he heard details about the tragic death of her nephew, Matthew Russo, who choked while eating lunch at his school in Crawley, in 2010.

Julia, who is a teacher at Rustington Primary School, began a month-long fund-raising drive for her family’s charity, the Matthew Russo Foundation, in June, which finished on Thursday.

David, of North Lane, was so inspired by Julia’s campaign to support her family’s foundation he decided to do his own event to help – a 127-mile cycle ride, in a single day.

The 51-year-old, who little more than a year ago suffered a heart attack so severe, he was minutes away from dying, took part in last month’s Wiggle Magnificat Sportive cycle event.

The ride saw him tackling nine gruelling hill climbs in dismal weather all for the foundation.

“I couldn’t believe how much we managed to raise, it’s been incredible,” said the IT technician, who works at Rustington Primary School.

“The weather was really dismal, it rained all the time. But I knew it was for a good cause, so I just kept on going.”

Julia said her and her family have been amazed by the response of the Rustington community, which donated £1,640 to the charity.

She said: “The message we want to put across is for something good to come from our family’s tragedy.

“We’re just so grateful. I just don’t know how to express it. It’s been an overwhelming show of support from Rustington.”

The money will go to the Sussex Air Ambulance, Winston’s Wish and the Matthew Russo Foundation.