A TAVISTOCK woman raised hundreds of pounds for charity by crossing the finish line at the British Heart Foundation’s London to Brighton Bike Ride 2018, in memory of her dad.

Louise Walker, 48, took to the saddle in memory of her father Michael Taylor who died in October from a stroke caused by heart failure.

Around 16,000 cyclists saddled up to complete the BHF’s legendary London to Brighton Bike Ride to help fund the charity’s life-saving research into heart and circulatory disease.

The event took place on Father’s Day — the significance of which wasn’t lost on Louise. This was her first Father’s Day without her dad and she kept him in her thoughts while cycling. She rode with her brother Rob Taylor (pictured with Louise below right), 45, and said her dad would have been ‘very proud’ of them both. She also managed to raise £600 for the BHF.

Louise completed the ride in six hours. After crossing the finish line, she said: ‘Taking part in the British Heart Foundation’s London to Brighton Bike Ride was such an incredible experience. The atmosphere along the route was fantastic and I’m so proud to have been cycling for the BHF’s vital heart research.

‘Knowing that I was raising money for such a great cause really spurred me on to the finish line — even on the steep climb up the dreaded Ditchling Beacon!I’m proud that the money I raised will help make a difference to the seven million people living with heart and circulatory disease in the UK.’

Elizabeth Tack, event lead for the BHF’s London to Brighton Bike Ride, said: ‘Without the dedication and commitment of people like Louise, we wouldn’t be able to fund research that has broken new ground, revolutionised treatments and transformed the lives of millions of people in the UK.

‘The stories of why our amazing supporters take part never fails to amaze me and it was incredible to see Louise and around 16,000 others take on this iconic challenge, which will help us put the brakes on heart and circulatory disease for good.’

Anyone who would like to help BHF accelerate the fight against heart and circulatory disease can visit www.bhf.org.uk/events