Those who know me are aware that when I am publicising charity events, I also like to get personally involved.
Last Saturday, Bexley Cricket Club commenced their annual cricket week with their first team defeating Minster in the Kent Cricket League Premier Division.
However, there was also an important event taking place beyond the boundary. A non-stop charity static bike ride will last throughout the entire week, with wheels turning twenty-four hours a day for seven days for the fourth consecutive year.
Visiting Australia for a cricket scholarship with the Darren Lehmann Cricket Academy in October 2022, Bexley cricketer Ben Aldred first spent time in Perth with family, and it was there that his life changed. Whilst out for a walk near the beach with his uncle he suffered a cardiac arrest. His uncle started immediate CPR before a doctor saw what was happening and assisted, along with paramedics who were nearby having just left another incident.
When he returned to the UK, he decided to try and make a difference by launching a Myheart fund to allow young people in the area the opportunity to be screened by CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) with their usual ECG plus an Echocardiogram. The now annual static bike ride takes place along with other fundraising events organised by him, father Dan, mother Donna, and brother Jack.
In 2025 I promoted March of the Day II for MND awareness and research, I walked some of the legs, including the one from Bromley F.C to Welling United.
This year I supported another MND event, a cricket day in Blackheath, and umpired nine out of the ten matches.
Having promoted, but not participated in the static cycle event, previously, I wanted to put it right this year. Therefore, I booked myself in for stints on Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday morning, and Thursday afternoon with my natural competitive instinct meaning that I would push myself as hard as I can.
Should anyone wish to donate to my page for such an important cause, details can be found on: https://www.givengain.com/project/mark-raising-funds-for-cardiac-risk-in-the-young-cry-126937