FAMILY members have raised more than £1,500 for charity in memory of two lost relatives by completing a 50km solidarity ride in South Africa after the Cape Town Cycle Tour was cancelled due to bush fires.

The 12 family members from four continents rode in memory of Richard Sheen from Chippenham who died of an aggressive bowel cancer, the same cancer that took his uncle Mark, in June last year at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, aged 34.

The 110km Cape Town Cycle Tour, billed as the world’s largest timed cycle race, was replaced by a truncated 50km solidarity ride after the cape peninsula was hit by bush fires as strong winds fanned the fire from one ocean to the other.

The family still took the opportunity to pay tribute to Richard, Mark, and the bravery of firefighters tackling the bush fires, as well as raising funds for the Forever Friends Appeal’s RUH Cancer Care Campaign to say thank you for the medical care Richard received during his three month stay in the Intensive Therapy Unit.

Richard, who worked at The Manor House Hotel in Castle Combe, called the nursing staff their his angels.

His mother Wendy, who lives in South Africa said: “It was a fitting tribute and I hope Rich was staring down on us and smiling. He loved the angels at the RUH Bath and as a family we are extremely grateful for the quality of care provided by the NHS when he was at his most vulnerable.”

The Forever Friends Appeal has helped secure more than £17 million to provide state-of-the-art equipment and facilities at the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

Richard’s father John said: “Even though we could not participate in the full event, all the training we did for it just means we will have to do the real thing next year.”

Mr Sheen, who knew he was dying after a very late diagnosis of an aggressive bowel cancer, said he was too young to be planning his own funeral and, though terribly sick, made it clear that if his experience raised awareness and helped save the lives of any of his family or others in the future, then it would have been worthwhile.

At his bedside the family promised him that they would do something to celebrate his life and decided to participate in the Cape Town Cycle Tour, his home town, whilst supporting his angels.

Mr Sheen was very touched by the idea and at times during his treatment there was a glimmer of hope that he would be able to return to Cape Town for his last months, but this was never possible.

Jan Witt, legacy officer for the Forever Friends Appeal, said: “We cannot thank Richard’s family enough for their bravery and commitment for taking on such a big challenge at a very difficult time in their lives."