Cyclist rides through night to honour his beloved nan
A CHADDERTON man devastated by his grandmother’s death rode through the night to their favourite holiday spot in her memory.
Andy Shields was just eight years old when his nanna died from after a heart attack and says it ‘hit him hard.’
Almost 20 years later, Andy decided to take on the 52-mile night ride to Blackpool, where he and his beloved grandmother, May Hampson, spent their happiest times.
Andy, 27, who works for the RAF, said: “I was eight years old when she passed away, it hit me hard.
“She took me everywhere when I was a little boy – and spoilt me rotten.
“It’s fitting that the ride finished in Blackpool as one of my fondest memories is going to Blackpool with her when I was a child. I consider myself lucky to have had a nana like her.
“Her death had a notable effect on our family. She was the centre of the family. We used to all go to her house for Christmas and special occasions but that stopped after she died. I rarely saw my extended family and we became distant.”
The Manchester to Blackpool ride took place earlier this year and set off from the Trafford Centre at midnight along with hundreds of other riders. It ended at the finish line on Blackpool’s sea front, under the famous Blackpool Illuminations.
He added: “I chose to support the BHF because heart disease is such a widespread problem – most people are affected in one way or another. My uncle has a heart condition that he’s living with at the moment. Luckily I have been told that I have a very healthy heart in a recent medical.”
Shonali Rodrigues, head of events at the British Heart Foundation, said: “Heart disease is heartless, it can affect anyone at any age without warning and research is the best weapon we have to fight it. By taking on our incredible Manchester to Blackpool Night Ride, Andy is helping bring us a step closer to beating heart disease for good so we are incredibly grateful for his support.”
Andy raised £240 of his £300 target from the ride so far.
Visit www.bhf.org.uk/get-involved/ events/bike-rides to take part.