A Chelmsford man will cycle 100 miles through London and Surrey to raise money in memory of his childhood friend. 

Nick Hobbs, from Hollis Lock, Chelmer Village, is taking part in Ride London-Surrey 100 on Sunday, 2 August, in memory of his friend Mike Polden who died suddenly aged 20 from the heart disease cardiomyopathy while out running.

Nick, a 33-year-old director of a start-up cycle clothing company, will be raising money for Cardiomyopathy UK, a charity that provides information and support to families affected by condition, the main medical cause of young people dying suddenly.

Mike died in 2001 from dilated cardiomyopathy, a type of the disease that causes the heart to enlarge and pump less effectively. At the time he was a student at university in Exeter.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to being able to ride around London very fast and not be held up by traffic.”

Cardiomyopathy affects around 1 in 500 people of all ages, including babies. It is the biggest medical cause of sudden death in people aged under 35.

But when found, it can be treated with drugs and surgery, with many sufferers going on to live long and full lives.

Nick hopes to raise £1,000 to add to the £7,000 he and three other team mates raised for the charity in a cycle from San Francisco to San Diego in America three years ago. 

Cardiomyopathy UK also helps educate the medical profession about the disease and best treatments through a programme of medical conferences.

Donate at:  http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/NickHobbs

For more information about cardiomyopathy, call Cardiomyopathy UK on 0800 081 1024 or see the website www.cardiomyopathy.org