A FAMILY will again be taking part in a charity cycle ride in memory of a former Worcester Grammar School pupil.

James Milbourne died aged just 29 in July 2015 from a cardiac arrest as a result of undiagnosed sarcoidosis – a condition which can leave organs malfunctioning.

Last year members of his family cycled from Worcester to Lyme Regis, as Mr Milbourne was a keen cyclist and planned to do a a coast-to-coast ride of America – sadly he never had the chance.

Last years’s family-only event proved a big fundraiser for Sarcoidosis UK, so it is being organised again this year with the hope of having 50 cyclists take part.

A number of members of James' family work for Matthews Construction, so this time staff there are joining them on the ride.

On Tuesday, Worcester Warriors and England centre Ben Te’o, who the firm sponsors, visited to help launch this year’s fundraiser.

Mr Te’o said he was pleased to be able to support the cyclists, and the charity – which is carrying out potentially ground-breaking research that could help save lives.

James’ cousin Rob Matthews said: “We decided to organise our own cycle ‘Tour de Lyme Regis’ in his memory to raise awareness and funds for Sarcoidosis UK. Our aim is to cover the 144 miles in two days and we have spent the last six weeks training hard.”

James’ mum, Sue said: “We chose Lyme Regis as when James was a boy that was where he liked to go on holiday, and we have fond memories. We have a target to raise £10,000. We want to raise awareness for early diagnosis of this condition.

“We hope to make this an annual event. Sarcoidosis is a rare disease, hard to diagnose and hence gets very little attention from the public, media and medical profession.

“Every donation will help Sarcoidosis UK make a difference and hopefully stop another family suffering like ours.”

To make a donation to the cause in honour of James, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/tourdelymeregis or text LYME85 £10 to 70070.