A father and son from Formby are fundraising in memory of a 12-year-old boy who collapsed and died.
Mike Roach, 42, and his son John, 13, will cycle 50 miles for charity following the death of James Poynton who died on a beach.
James, who was the son of former Formby Shotokan Karate Club sense Jim Poynton, died in his father’s arms during a stroll along a West Kirby beach with friends and family.
He died in June after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest resulting from a condition known as sudden death syndrome.
Mike now runs the karate club at Holy Trinity Church Hall after taking over from Jim, who has also decided to join the challenge.
Other club members will also take part in the cycle ride to raise money for the charity CRY, Cardiac Risk in the Young.
Mike said: “Jim was my instructor and his son was around the same age as mine, so it was really close to home.
“You hear of these things and you don’t believe that someone as young as 12 or 13 can have a heart attack.
“With these things, if they don’t do any research about them there is no prevention for it.”
Jim, 49, who lives in Oxton, has already raised £4,000 for CRY with the help of family and friends.
He said: “I was an instructor in Formby for 25 years and James might have gone there possibly for karate at some point because he was getting into it.
“It’s just really good of them to do it, it’s a nice thought.”
The sponsored cycle from Formby to Preston and back will take place on Sunday, October 1.
Mike said: “We have been checking the route and we have been going out of a weekend to get the mileage up.
“I would like to thank everyone who has sponsored us for their support.”
Sudden death syndrome is an umbrella term for the many causes of cardiac arrest in young people.
CRY offers support and counselling to families of young people who have died from SDS and funds research into the reasons behind cardiac arrests.
To sponsor the cycle challenge, call Mike Roach on 874519.
