170-mile cycle epic in Marine’s memory (From York Press)

170-mile cycle epic in memory of Royal Marine David Hart

7:58am Tuesday 13th September 2011 in David Hart By Kate Liptrot, kate.liptrot@thepress.co.uk

THE friends and family of a Royal Marine from York who died in Afghanistan have cycled the width of the country to raise almost £13,000 in his memory.

David Hart, of Upper Poppleton, became York’s third victim of the conflict when he was killed in a blast in Helmand province in July last year.

He died a day before his 24th birthday.

Over the weekend a 20-strong group, including his dad, Chris, 60, and his sister, Sarah, 27, cycled 170 miles coast-to-coast, from Morecambe to Bridlington, to raise money in his honour.

The team easily exceeded its target of raising £10,000 for Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund (RMCTF), after countless donations poured in from around the world when David made international headlines for leaving his friends £100,000 from a life insurance policy to go on holiday to Las Vegas.

He also left money to the RMCTF, which helps wounded and retired Royal Marines and their families.

Chris said the group faced tough climbs on the ride as well as driving rain and wind.

He said: “We completed the ride and everyone made it.

“I think it was good to honour David and everybody talked about him and had a laugh and there was a lot of cameraderie, if people had a pucture or fell off there was always someone to help. If David was there he would have led the pack because of his fitness.

“I think he would be quite surprised what everyone managed to achieve, everybody had their personal goals.”

If you would like to add to the donations, visit justgiving.com/David-Hart