Cycle to stag night town in memory of brave father

A courageous father who refused to give up his battle against bowel cancer and was still working three days before his death will be remembered during a charity bike ride in France.

Rick Wheddon (left), 46, died following a three-and-a-half-year battle with the killer disease but inspired those around him with his uplifting attitude.

"He was an amazing man who lived strong and showed great courage and mental strength throughout a very long illness," said wife Jane, 47, of Henley Road, Stubbings, Maidenhead, who met him at City University London.

"He worked throughout his treatment and was never going to accept the fact he was not going to make it."

On the first anniversary of his death, September 22, more than 70 family and friends will be riding from Calais to Le Touquet, where the father-of-three had his stag do more than 20 years ago.

Among them will be his three brothers and two sisters and children Beth, 17, Will, 15, and Rob, 12, who were all pupils at St Edmund Campion Catholic Primary School, in Altwood Road.

The group hope to raise in excess of £5,000 for Bowel Cancer UK.

Visit justgiving.com/Rick-Wheddon to donate.

See tomorrow's Advertiser for the full story.