Trio tackle bike ride for Turkey lift shaft victim

Tyler Kerry's friends and brother are raising money for his funeral and any legal fees

The brother and friends of a man who was found dead in a lift shaft in Turkey are taking part in a 248-mile bike ride in his memory.

Mason Read, 18, will join Mr Kerry's friends Harry Sullivan and Billy Hanshaw in a ride from Pitsea in Essex to the home of his favourite football team - Old Trafford in Manchester.

Mr Kerry, from Basildon, was found fatally injured on 27 November at the Trendy Lara Hotel in Antalya.

"Being realistic this is going to be difficult for all three of us but I know that with persistence and determination we can do it," Mr Read said.

Turkish police said Mr Kerry had been under the influence of alcohol and fell from the hotel's first floor.

However, his family said they were "disgusted" by the Turkish investigation and believed he had been murdered.

Money raised from the bike ride will go towards Mr Kerry's funeral and legal costs for his family, who are pushing for further investigations.

Mason Read says he and his family believe his brother was murdered

Mr Kerry's brother added: "Personally I'm ready to go. I love the idea of riding to Old Trafford due to how much Tyler loved the team (Manchester United) and loved watching them play.

"I'm extremely proud to be doing this for my brother and I know that he would be too."

Mr Sullivan, 22, said the ride was a way to say a final thank you to a friend who had always been there for others.

"He would go further than anyone to do something for his family and friends he cared for," he said.

"He had a heart of gold, he always helped people when he could.

"It's going to be a real challenge. I've not really cycled properly in two years, so it's going to be a challenge but we'll get there."

The trio were due to set off at 04:00 GMT and expect the ride to take more than 24 hours.