Kev gets back in the saddle for Macmillan

Kevin Smith, 58, from Hampsthwaite was left fighting for his life after the crash on Otley Road in January. He was resuscitated twice and was in a coma for a week after the accident.

Now six months after the crash which left him brain damaged, Mr Smith took part in a Macmillan fundraiser, cycling on exercise bikes on the Stray near the event village.

Mr Smith said: “It was a very emotional day for me, there was nothing else I could have wished for on the day, it was truly fantastic.”

Over 40 of Mr Smith’s friends and family hopped on the three exercise bikes which clocked up a whopping 300 miles on Saturday (June 20).

He said: “Everyone gave it a try, from a little three-year-old and an 80-odd-year-old lady, which is exactly what I wanted, everyone just gave it a little bit.”

Mr Smith was cycling home from work at the National Milk Records in January on the route he took every day when he was knocked off his bike by the lorry.

He said: “I nearly died twice, I say I am back for a reason and this weekend just showed me that. I am here for a second go at things and fundraising events like this are part of that.”

Event organisers, Peninne, surprised Mr Smith with a new cycling jersey, presented to him on stage by professional cyclists Sam Bewley and Adam Blythe.

The keen cyclist has taken part in the great Manchester cycle ride, also organised by Peninne Events, for three years before his crash and was wearing a souvenir jersey when he was taken to hospital.

He said: “It was such a surprise, they had to cut my jersey off me after the crash so I was upset I had lost it but know I have got it back.”

Just under £1,000 has been raised so far online and another £1,000 was raised at the event. See www.justgiving.com/kevsbigbikebash