A GROUP of friends raised over £4,700 on a sponsored bike ride recently, in memory of local teacher Martyn Dunn, who died aged just 34 last month.
The group, all footballers for former local pub team, FC Jäger, cycled 50 miles round Wiltshire on Saturday 2nd July. They do the ride every year, usually in memory of a friend who was killed in Iraq, but this year raised money in the name of Martyn’s children.
Barry Holloway, who organises the ride, was Martyn’s brother-in-law.
Barry told Melksham News, “The ride went very well and the weather ended up sunny which was great! I’m over the moon with what we raised. Within less than 48 hours of opening the fundraising page we had exceeded £2,000, which was incredible.
“It really shows how well loved Dunny was. I’d personally like to thank everyone that donated. Their kindness has been a huge comfort to Dunny’s family at this difficult and sad time.
“We generally make between £1,000 and £2,000 for Help For Heroes every year, so it was great to exceed that within a few days of fundraising!”
The group set off from Melksham Rugby Club at around midday and rode to Pewsey and back through Devizes and lanes around Melksham. Barry last week presented the fundraising total of £4,783 to Churchfields School in Atworth, where Martyn’s children attend, to pay for new sports equipment.
Barry explained, “Dunny had a heart condition which shouldn’t have affected his life or the things that he loved doing, but he unfortunately collapsed whilst playing five-a-side football with his friends.
“He leaves behind Katie, his son Teddy, his two step-children, Olivia and Cammy Lambert, his mum and dad, Steve and Julia, and his sister Sara – not to mention a host of shocked students and teammates who admired and looked up to him.
“I spoke to Katie and she felt Dunny would have wanted their children’s primary school to receive some funding for new sporting equipment, as Dunny was such a keen sportsman. He was very keen on his children to be active young people and so this seemed a perfect tribute.”
