Telford father leads cycle team on poignant ride

A father has cycled 100 miles to raise money in memory of his daughter. Tristan Pitt rode from Telford to Porthmadog on the route he and his wife Rachel would take their daughter Layla on holiday.

The couple, of Ivatt Close in Dawley, set up the Layla Jane Pitt Remembrance Trust after 11-year-old Layla's sudden death from a brain haemorrhage at the resort in August 2008.

Twelve cyclists took on the ride to Haulfryn Cardigan View Holiday Park.

Mr Pitt said the route was very poignant. "This bike ride is just one of the ways that we can honour Layla's memory and raise money for a number of important causes."

The trust supports families dealing with the loss of a child, as well as offering support for local children in performing arts. Dance, singing and music were a huge part of Layla's life.

On the evening of the ride, the head chef from The Warren at Abersoch provided paella and buffet for everyone and donations, raffle and a cake sale organised by family and friends of the cyclists raised £450.

Mr Pitt said they hoped to raise £3,000 from the ride.

The couple have three more events taking place this year in memory of Layla, who also left younger sister Liberty and brothers Alfie and Archie.

Mrs Pitt is doing a sponsored sky dive on August 25 and a half marathon on September 9, and there will be a formal ball to mark Layla's birthday on November 24.

For more information visit www.laylas-trust.co.uk