FIVE colleagues from Minehead are going on a 40-mile sponsored cycle ride to raise money for the charity whose research saved the life of one of their partners.

Suzanne Richards, of Minehead’s 1610 West Somerset Sports and Leisure Centre, believes that without the work of the British Heart Foundation her husband Darren, 43, would not be here.

“We thought he had flu at first, but found he had a serious heart problem and ended up with a heart valve replacement,” said Suzanne.

“Without the research the British Heart Foundation does he wouldn’t have made it through, so I wanted to do a sponsored ride to say thank you and to help others, and my colleagues said they would do it too.”

The team, The Dickie Tickers, are planning to cycle from Minehead to Woolacombe on March 26 and are getting into serious training now.

“It’s very hilly terrain. The cycling training has started – but we’re not all natural cyclists!” she said.

The team members are Suzanne Richards, Connor Williams, Gareth Bradley, Paul Spence and Mandy Godsell.

“I am sure there will be blisters, sore bottoms and tears along the way, but we hope people will support us in this event.”

There are sponsorship forms at Lloyds Pharmacy, 1610 West Somerset Sports and Leisure Centre or online at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/Thedickietickers.