Bicester man dies during charity bike ride

Robin Chard, 48, suffered cardiac arrest after cycling 25 miles of Sunday’s 100 mile RideLondon event.

He was treated at the scene by fellow cyclists and medical personnel and then taken to Kingston Hospital but attempts to save him were unsuccessful. Mr Chard was raising money for the cancer charity after his own battle with Hodgkin Lymphoma as a child.

Further motivation came after both his father, Edwin and step-father, Bert, had died from lung cancer.

Mr Chard’s wife, Vickie, also lost her mother, Sheila, to non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

On his justgiving donation page Mr Chard said: “I want to help raise money for this charity to try and find more effective and permanent cures and improve the treatments available today.

“Cancer is an awful disease which most, if not all of you, either know or have known someone who has had or has been affected by cancer.”

So far over £17,000 has been donated and messages of condolences have been left.

Charlie W wrote: “Sorry to Richard’s family and friends for their tragic loss. I hope the generosity he has inspired in the general public provides some small measure of comfort at this difficult time.”