I have for a long time wanted to combine my passion for cycling with a worthwhile cause. Last year was going to be the year for the ‘long ride’.

I was at my home in Couze (near Bergerac in France) last June and July, building up the training miles to take on such an event. I then came back to England for the summer and on Monday 30th July, found myself in Basingstoke hospital having surgery for a heart attack that happened earlier that morning; no prior warning, a big surprise.

I was cycling nearly 100 miles a week in France and thought I was comparatively fit. In fact I was. The surgeon explained that most of the problems I had were hereditary.

After six weeks recuperation at home, I began a rehabilitation programme in Alton, called Heart Rehab. The scheme was set up in 1976 by a well known local doctor, Mr Hugh Bethel, This programme has given many people like me a second chance at life.