AN ANDOVER man is taking his love of the beautiful game to another level with a mammoth 690-mile bike ride to every Premier League football stadium in honour of his friend.
Tara Ward, 54, who lives in Andover, was travelling back from Ireland on a ferry when he suffered from a cardiac arrest on May 31. He was pronounced dead for 12 minutes, until he was given CPR on the deck of the ferry and air lifted by Air Ambulance Wales to Glan Clwyd Hospital.
Now, in support of those who saved Tara’s life, John Smith, former Andover FC chairman and Andover New Street manager, is riding to all Premier League clubs.
Starting on Thursday in Newcastle, John is expected to finish on Saturday, September 24 in Bournemouth.
Posting on his JustGiving page, John said that this will be his “last dance on doing charity events”.
He continued: “A good friend of mine (Tara Ward) recently had a massive Cardiac arrest on a ferry in North Wales.
“Tara was brought back to life and flown to Intensive care where he stayed for five days before his release.
“Tara and I would like to thank the air ambulance service and the hospital that saved him.”
John has set his fundraising target at £1,000 for the Wales Air Ambulance Charitable Trust.
John will be joined by John Lunn, who will be in a support vehicle, helping the cyclist along the way.
Tara said: "Those fantastic people saved my life and three weeks ago I went back to meet the helicopter crew in Caernarfon and the following day I saw some of the nurses and cardiologists in Glan Clwyd, it was just brilliant.
"It is absolutely fantastic, and I am very thankful for what my friends are doing to raise money for the people who saved my life."
The fundraisers also got in touch with England, Wales and Ireland Rugby Football Union and different estate agents that Tara has completed work for, and they are all helping to raise money for the air ambulance and hospital that saved Tara's life.
Tara has been in touch with all of the Premier League clubs to let them know of what his friends are doing and some clubs have even donated signed items for his friends to auction off.
To donate, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/JOHN-SMITH317?
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