Early this year, an otherwise fit and active young man died unexpectedly in his sleep. Levon Morland (West Rainton, Co. Durham) had travelled the world, making friends wherever he went and his short life of 22 years was full of fun and laughter.

He had a cardiac disorder called Wolfe-Parkinson-White Syndrome, and this caused an irregularity in his heart. One morning, he simply didn’t wake up.

Brendan, Levon’s older brother, and some of his friends cycled 250 miles around the counties of Durham and Northumberland, following the shape of a heart. This sponsored trip on July 8th, took them 6 days during which they raised both awareness and as much money as possible for CRY.

For those closer to home, Barking Billy and the Scrapyard Dogs (a band fronted by Levon’s dad) kicked off proceedings on July 4th at O’Neill’s Irish Bar, Claypath, Durham City. This rock ‘n’ roll party was held to raise money for CRY, and anyone wishing to sponsor the cyclists could do so on the night.

The route will take the CRYCYCLE team from Stamfordham, Ponteland up through Kielder Forest, through the Cheviots, across to Harbottle and Wooler, then down the coast, passing through Alnmouth, then inland to Stocksfield, returning home to Levon’s village of West Rainton on Saturday July 13th..