Daughter takes on dad's charity cycle ride

Gary Wilson, Innes Stafford and Jessica Oakley-Stafford set off for their challenge on Friday

The daughter of a cyclist who died while doing a charity bicycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats has picked up his challenge, setting off from where he collapsed in the Yorkshire Dales.

Jessica Oakley-Stafford and her husband Innes Stafford will be joined by her father Eric’s best friend Gary Wilson and will be completing the challenge for Cancer Research UK over the next three weekends.

Eric Oakley, 64, from Hampsthwaite near Harrogate, was seven days into the challenge when he died from unknown causes near Settle on 11 September.

Mrs Oakley-Stafford, who set off on Friday, said continuing the challenge felt like a “fitting tribute”.

Jessica Oakley-Stafford is picking up her father Eric Oakley's challenge

“If we were ever going to lose him early this was the most fitting way," she said.

"He sadly lost his life trying to do something good to help other people and that just epitomises my dad.

“He was incredible. Once met, never forgotten. There was nobody like him. He had such a big heart and he was always going out of his way to help other people.”

Mr Wilson said fundraising for Cancer Research UK had been really important to Mr Oakley.

“If we can get that fund up that’s what he’d be really caring about right now. I loved him and so many other people did. I’m proud to be still Eric’s best friend,” he said.

Mrs Oakley-Stafford, who last saw her father at her wedding seven weeks ago, said the family had received an “overwhelming level of support”.

“Dad set out to raise £2,000, which was pretty humble in my opinion for what he was taking on and the fund is now creeping towards £14,000.

“He was getting softer and softer in his older age and he would definitely be crying, he’d absolutely be in tears by everybody’s generosity and the kindness.”

Mrs Oakley-Stafford said she hoped to scatter some of her father’s ashes at John O’Groats – ensuring he makes it to the end of his ride.

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