A FAMILY has vowed to complete a planned charity bike ride after a father-of-two from Amesbury was left in a coma following an accident while training.

Mark Lewis, 50, lost control of his bike while out training near Chippenham on May 26 leaving him with serious injuries.

He had organised a team of over 40 friends and work colleagues to cycle from London to Paris to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Determined to ensure the bike ride goes ahead as planned and raise as much money for charity as possible, Mark’s brother John Lewis has taken over the leadership of the team, and his son — Mark’s 14-year-old nephew Ollie — is joining the ride in his uncle’s place. The team has been renamed Mark’s Riders and are ‘Riding for Mark’.

Ollie, who is from Alton in Hampshire, has already raised over £1,600 for Great Ormond Street Hospital, and is trying to raise as much money as possible in tribute to his uncle.

He said: “I’m proud to be riding to Paris on behalf of my Uncle Mark. I’ve been training hard and really hope I can make the distance.”

Mark who lives in Amesbury with his wife Lynn and two children Christopher and Harry is currently at Salisbury District Hospital having been transferred from Bristol Southmead Hospital.

John said: “Mark has put a huge amount of work into organising the trip, and is passionate about raising much needed funds for his chosen charity Great Ormond Street Hospital. He has paid dearly for that endeavour, but I know he would want his work to be carried on.”

Tim Johnson, Chief Executive of Great Ormond Street Hospital, said he was “shocked and saddened” to hear about the crash.

“All our thoughts and best wishes are with Mark and his family,” he said. “We are hugely grateful to them for their support.”

To sponsor Ollie’s ride from July 21 to 24, click here.