AN ANDOVER dad, whose son was born with life-threatening heart conditions, will attempt a gruelling 100 mile cycle to raise money for charity.

Richard Cook will take on the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) South Downs Way off-road cycling challenge on Saturday to raise money for the research charity.

The BHF is close to the 47-year-old’s heart due to his personal experience with his now 10-year-old son, Archie.

The youngster was born with severe forms of two heart defects known as tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and double outlet right ventricle (DORV).

Doctors offered little hope for Archie, with one rating the seriousness of his situation as a “nine out of ten”.

However after two “risky” open heart surgeries, one at just four months old, and the introduction of a pacemaker, Archie is now a healthy young boy.

He even plays sport and is a goalkeeper for Andover based youth football side Shooters F.C.

Richard, who himself suffers with the heart condition atrial fibrillation, feels now is the time to give back and is also hoping that the ride will be beneficial to his own health.

He said: “I really want to try and give a little back for what we have received.

“Without those operations who knows what kind of life Archie would have had.

“The work that charities like the BHF do has been important in that and will bring benefits to us and similar families in the future.

“I also have a condition and I’ve realised I must take my health seriously for my future and my family.”

Richard, who works as an IT consultant in London, has been on an intense training programme in the run up to the event, getting on his bike up to five times a week.

He has had support from wife Toni, as well as from brother Barry Cook and friend Dean Annetts, the latter two who will join him on the 100 mile ride across the South Downs.

The event starts in Winchester on Saturday morning and the group will have up to 16 hours to make it to the finish line in Eastbourne.

Richard and his group have previously tackled an 80 mile cycle and are hoping to complete the challenge in under 14 hours.

The dad-of-two has also set up a Just Giving group in the hope of raising up to £1,000 in sponsorship for the BHF.

Anyone wishing to donate can do so by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Richard-Cook25.