A TEAM of cyclists is making final preparations ahead of Sunday'sWhite Rose Classic which will see them taking on the cycle challenge in memory of their late colleague cardiologist Dr George Ballard.

Dr Ballard, who lived in Ilkley and was a keen cyclist, was incredibly popular with colleagues and patients, and the Leeds Congenital Heart unit where he worked was flooded with messages following his tragic death in a cycling accident in the Yorkshire Dales.

Before George’s accident, many of his colleagues had also enjoyed cycling, but his death meant some colleagues stopped the activity. However, now they are putting these fears behind them to take part in The White Rose Classic on Sunday, June 26, which this year is being held in George’s memory.

The event is run by Ilkley Cycling Club and profits from the event in 2016 will go to the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) – the award-winning charity supporting the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit at Leeds General Infirmary.

The event starts and ends at Ilkley Rugby Club, with participants choosing to cycle 50, 84 or 114 miles, and it includes a family fun day with food, facepainting, stalls and a tombola.

Helen Michael, consultant paediatric cardiologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “I used to cycle to work most days and did quite a lot of cycling at weekends, cycling holidays and triathlons, too.

“In fact, most of my free time and that of my group of friends revolved around these activities, and I really enjoyed talking to George and other colleagues about bikes.

“His accident had a profound effect on us all but in addition to losing a friend, and a much-loved and very important colleague – and the effects this had on our service, as well as on us as individuals and a team – it also affected how many people felt about being outdoors and riding a bike.

“Naturally, it was a big shock but it also provoked a kind of aversion to cycling for me: I felt ill at the idea of getting on my bike again and stopped completely. That was such a shame and I imagine George would have been really disappointed to know it – he probably would have called me a ‘big wuss’!

“It’s really only been the past one to two months that I gradually started to venture out again, cycling to work and now starting to cycle at the weekends, too. I felt anxious at first but am starting to enjoy it again now. It was time to make a change: you can’t live your life in fear and I felt in a way I was letting myself – and George’s memory – down by avoiding cycling.”

She added: “I was so delighted to hear of this bike ride and the opportunity for us to remember and honour George this way, as well as raising money for a fantastic cause.

“It’s a challenge just because of the distance and the hills, but for me it’s also been a mental challenge too. Getting out on my bike again in Yorkshire and tackling the hills in the Dales took some mental conviction, but I’m proud I’ve started to train again now.

“I am sure George would approve of us all getting together to do this. This would have been just his idea of a good day out – he would have been there with us given half a chance!”

Visit http://www.virginmoneygiving.com/HelenMichael to donate.