A KEEN cyclist – killed in an accident at Dibbles Bridge, near Hebden, last August – will be remembered at the White Rose Classic on June 26.

Participants will include colleagues of Dr George Ballard, a much-respected cardiologist at Leeds General Infirmary, and, as a mark of respect, proceeds from the event will go to the Children's Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF).

Run by Ilkley Cycling Club, the ride will start and end at Ilkley Rugby Club, with participants choosing to cycle 50, 84 or 114 miles.

It also includes a family fun day, with food, facepainting, stalls and a tombola.

George's colleagues are inviting people to join their team and raise a minimum of £100 for the charity. The entry fee is £30 per participant, which includes event parking, chip timing, a supported route with signage and feed stations.

Helen Michael, consultant paediatric cardiologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "I used to cycle to work most days and did quite a lot of cycling at weekends, cycling holidays and triathlons too.

"In fact most, of my free time, and that of my group of friends, revolved around these activities, and I really enjoyed talking to George and other colleagues about bikes.

"His accident had a profound effect on us all but in addition to losing a friend, and a much-loved and very important colleague (and the effects this had on our service, as well as on us as individuals and a team), it also affected how many people felt about being outdoors and riding a bike.

"Naturally, it was a big shock but it also provoked a kind of aversion to cycling for me: I felt ill at the idea of getting on my bike again and stopped completely. That was such a shame and I imagine George would have been really disappointed to know it – he probably would have called me a “big wuss”!

"It’s really only been the past one to two months that I gradually started to venture out again, cycling to work and now starting to cycle at the weekends, too. I felt anxious at first but am starting to enjoy it again now. It was time to make a change: you can’t live your life in fear and I felt, in a way, I was letting myself – and George’s memory – down by avoiding cycling."

Helen added: "I was so delighted to hear of this bike ride and the opportunity for us to remember and honour George this way, as well as raising money for a fantastic cause. It’s a challenge just because of the distance and the hills, but for me it’s also been a mental challenge too: getting out on my bike again in Yorkshire and tackling the hills in the Dales took some mental conviction, but I’m proud I’ve started to train again now.

"I am sure George would approve of us all getting together to do this This would have been just his idea of a good day out – he would have been there with us given half a chance!"

E-mail events@chsf.org.uk to fundraise on CHSF’S behalf, secure a place at this special event and for more details about the fun day.