Cyclists organise charity ride in memory of friend

Gary Wheeler was described by friends as "a wonderful chap"

A cycling group has organised a charity ride in memory of one of its members who took his own life in January.

Darren Muffit from The Nova Raiders Cycle Club in Newport, Shropshire, said Gary Wheeler had been "a wonderful chap who loved to ride his bike and socialise with us".

Those taking part will have a choice of two routes and Mr Muffit said the aim was to raise money for the Farm Safety Foundation and to "get people talking".

Mr Wheeler, who lived in Hinstock, had been a lone farm worker and Mr Muffit added: "We just think blimey, what could we have done, if we had known any of these sort of thoughts?"

Mr Wheeler was employed as a hoofer, shaving the feet of up to 70 cattle a day.

Mr Muffit said he was an "incredibly fit man" who would "do 50 miles on the bike after doing a hard day's graft".

But working on farms could be lonely, he said, and none of his group knew he had been struggling.

The ride is due to take place on Saturday, starting at the Falcon Inn at Hinstock at 09:30 BST.

One route will be 65 miles (105km) long and the other 35 miles (56km) and Mr Muffit said it would be an opportunity to share stories about their friend.

But he said anyone was welcome and "it would be great to get as many cyclists supporting this as possible".

"Even if you didn't know Gary we want you here," he said.

"Just get talking, this is what it's all about."

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