A DRIVING instructor ditched his car and became a champion of the saddle after he joined a 210km tour in memory of two people who died from brain tumours.

Paul Darby, of Rudman Park, Chippenham, joined the Race For Simon ride, which was organised by the friends and family of Simon Oldacres, from Oaklands, who died in December 2016, after meeting the Renishaw employee’s wife Sophie last year.

However, Mr Darby joined the race not only to raise money for the Brain Tumour Charity but also to remember his 11-year-old son,Leo, who died two years ago.

“I didn’t even know Simon but I got to know Sophie this year and they made me feel so welcome,” the 48-year-old said. “I came along wanting to do it in memory of Leo and it has been so overwhelming.”

Mr Darby’s son attended Ivy Lane School with the Oldacres’ two children, so to honour both their memories, the driving instructor joined his friends and family on the weekend ride from Solihull to Chippenham and raised nearly £16,000 for the Brain Tumour Charity.

“I was an emotional wreck on Sunday but the love and support I received from the team was astonishing. If I could stop someone going through what we have been through, I would.

“It has been hell and just the thought that someone out there could be given a happy outcome one day is everything to me. I can’t get what I’ve lost back but I want to help others.”

The group, who dealt partly with their grief by training, were welcomed into John Coles Park on Sunday afternoon after two days of tackling tough terrain.

“It was really amazing to come back to the park and have hundreds of people waiting for us,” Mrs Oldacres added. “The whole thing has just grown and grown. It has been an incredible experience and the support has given me such a boost – at times it felt as if half of Chippenham were behind me.”