Shaun Quinn (Engineering Manager) to cycle 130 miles in memory of 14-year-old cancer victim

Mr Quinn and five colleagues from Skymark Packaging Solutions, in Ilkeston, are hoping to raise at least £1,000 each for the charity by cycling from Workington to Sunderland. They will be joined by three friends on the trip. The team will started the ride on June 7 and are hoping to complete the distance over three days.

Alan Heappey, 51, is one of the work colleagues who will join Mr Quinn in the cycle ride. Despite breaking his arm during training, having been struck by a car, he said he was still keen to raise money for the charity. He said: "It was obviously an extremely difficult time for Shaun and this charity was there for him and his family, as well as Nathan. Hopefully we'll raise a lot of money."

Shaun a GRIEVING dad is preparing to embark on a 130-mile cycle ride to raise money for a cancer charity that cared for his son before his tragic death.

Shaun Quinn was devastated after his 14-year-old son, Nathan, died from a brain tumour just three days before Christmas in 2005.

Now, he and eight others are doing a coast-to-coast ride to raise cash for CLIC Sargent – a charity that cares for children with cancer.

Nathan had been ill for much of his life and had been diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of just four.

He bravely fought the condition but suffered a relapse three years later, before being able to enjoy five precious years of good health. His mother, Deborah, 44, and Shaun, of Kirk Hallam, then endured further heartache when doctors found a cancerous tumour on his brain in 2003. Doctors discovered the lump after their son collapsed.

Following two years of treatment, Nathan died on December 22, 2005.

Throughout his battle, CLIC offered vital support to Nathan, as well as his parents and their other son, Liam, now 22. Mr Quinn, 44, said: "We can't say a big enough 'thank-you' to them for the support they gave us.

"They organise days out for children suffering from cancer and their families and also took us away on holiday for a week. We went to Prestwick in Scotland, we'll always remember that." He added that his son, who had been a pupil at Kirk Hallam Community Technology College, had been incredibly brave in his battle for life.

"He was always a happy child, a very cheerful lad," said Mr Quinn. "He loved school and loved playing cricket."

Mr Quinn said he was touched by the support of his colleagues. He said: "They're a really good bunch of lads. I've known most of them for quite a few years and they were very important in the way they supported me."