Dad saddles up for cancer charity in memory of his daughter Ruby

Richard Johnson and his wife Sarah lost their 13-year-old daughter Ruby two years ago to neuroblastoma after a more than three-year battle against the cancer.

Mr Johnson, aged 50, of south Leamington, said: “Nothing at all can prepare you for the news that you might lose your only child – and when the unimaginable happens, it is devastating.”

He was so moved by the support that children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent gave his family that he has undertaken a number of fundraising activities for it.

His latest will be a 60-mile bike ride from London to Oxford with his brother and sister on July 3.

Ruby had been a healthy ten-year-old when she complained about a pain in her back and an X-ray found it was a huge tumour.

“Throughout Ruby’s battle against cancer CLIC Sargent was a huge support,” said the area property surveyor for social housing provider Orbit Heart of England.

He will be joined on the 60-mile ride bide ride by his sister Christine, of Southampton, and brother Stephen, who lives in the Lake District.

Throughout his training, the reason he is taking part remains at the forefront of his mind: “We think about Ruby every day,” he said.

“She would have been 16 this year, taking her GCSEs, preparing for life.

For more information about the London to Oxford bike ride or to support Richard and his family in their fundraising efforts, visit www.clicsargent.org.uk.