North Yorkshire woman to complete cycling challenge in honour of her Dad

Eric Oakley collapsed and died during the charity challenge

Author: Kathy GreenPublished 18th Oct 2024
Last updated 29th Oct 2024

A North Yorkshire woman will complete her Dad's charity cycle ride this weekend - after he died suddenly half way through the challenge.

64 year old Eric Oakley from Hampsthwaite near Harrogate was planning on riding from Land's End to John O'Groats but collapsed near Settle.

His daughter Jes Oakley-Stafford and her husband will set off on the final leg today - and hope to cross the finish line on Sunday:

"Ultimately when he was on that bike he was cycling on his own...I’m just in awe of what my Dad was trying to do, I’m absolutely in awe of it. It’s incredible really what he was trying to achieve."

Jes is cycling alongside her husband: "We’ve got each other to keep one another going and have a grumble at each other when the roads are terrible or the weather is awful."

"We’ve got each other to keep one another positive, and it’s just incredible to think that my Dad was on day 7 of this challenge on his own and how far he had got and what he was achieving. I’m absolutely in awe of him really."

The fundraiser that Eric started has raised close to £17,000 - well over the initial £2000 target.

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