Friends of cancer victim tackle coast to coast bike ride

From left, support team Scott Harrison and Steve Dunn, and riders Stuart McDonald, Phil Johnson, Kev Fitzpatrick, Mick McCormack, Keith Morrison and Paul Challoner.

Father-of-two Shaun Dixon, a store manager with Sainsbury’s, died last year at the age of just 45 after being diagnosed with the illness only 12 months earlier.

Now a group of friends are tackling the 150-mile Coast to Coast bike ride from Whitehaven in Cumbria to Sunderland to raise cash for St Benedict’s Hospice, in Ryhope, where Shaun was cared for.

The event, which will be supported by family and friends along the route, is taking place over the weekend.

Cancer victim Shaun Dixon with his wife Lizzie.

One of the cyclists, Mick McCormack, said: ”Shaun’s death at such a young age was devastating for his wife and two young children.

“Shaun was a fantastic bloke and a friend to all the bikers.

“We were all shocked and saddened when he was diagnosed with cancer.

“His family praised the way he was looked after in the hospice and when we discussed how best we could remember Shaun we decided to raise money for the hospice.”

Other riders are Stuart McDonald, Kev Fitzpatrick, Keith Morrison, Paul Challoner and Phil Johnson. Their support team are Scott Harrison and Steve Dunn.

The group has set up a JustGiving website page and so far donors have contributed more than £1,300.

Shaun’s widow, Lizzie, set up her own JustGiving page which has raised more than £4,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

To donate to the bikers, visit www.justgiving.com/washyarmsboys.