A BRADFORD man born with three heart defects is out to prove ‘where there’s a will there’s a way’ when he tackles a 150-mile charity cycle ride on the East Coast.

Richard Dempsey, 36, of Eccleshill, who had heart surgery when he was only 11 days old, will tackle the ride over three days.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Richard Dempsey will tackle a 150-mile cycle ride on the East Coast.Richard Dempsey will tackle a 150-mile cycle ride on the East Coast. (Image: Newsquest)

Richard, who grew up in Holme Wood and Thornbury, will set off on April 5 from the Tees Estuary and finish three days later at the Hull Estuary, riding approximately 50 miles a day.

The cycle ride will raise money for the British Heart Foundation and Bradford Hospitals' Charity

Richard is aiming to raise £1,500 and people can donate by visiting justgiving.com/crowdfunding/AshandRichridethecoast

Richard said: “I was born with three congenital heart defects and I had to have life-saving surgery when I was 11 days old.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Richard Dempsey will tackle a 150-mile cycle ride on the East Coast.Richard Dempsey will tackle a 150-mile cycle ride on the East Coast. (Image: Newsquest)

Richard had his first heart surgery at Killingbeck Hospital, Leeds, to repair his narrowed aorta - the main artery that carries blood away from the heart.

His second operation, at the age of eight, was in 1995 when they repaired his mitral valves, which regulate the flow of blood within the heart.

Surgeons also repaired a small hole in Richard’s heart which he had been born with.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Richard Dempsey will tackle a 150-mile cycle ride on the East Coast.Richard Dempsey will tackle a 150-mile cycle ride on the East Coast. (Image: Newsquest)

Richard said: “Since then, I’ve had regular check-ups to make sure everything’s ok.”

And because of that care, Richard wanted to say thank you to the British Heart Foundation for its life-saving research and Bradford Royal Infirmary for its treatment.

He said: “I want to show people what can be done with the right treatment.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Richard Dempsey will tackle a 150-mile cycle ride on the East Coast.Richard Dempsey will tackle a 150-mile cycle ride on the East Coast. (Image: Newsquest)

“I’m a big believer in improving on the person that you were the day before.

“My grandma always told me ‘where there’s a will there’s a way’.

“Don’t be scared of putting yourself out there.

“Sometimes you need to take things in small steps, but anybody can do it.

“You don’t need to push yourself to the limit and make yourself poorly. Just keep going at your own pace.”

The first day of his cycle ride, on April 5, will take in Redcar, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Whitby, and Robin’s Hood Bay.

On the second day, he will go through Scarborough, Filey, Flamborough, and Bridlington and on day three he will travel to Hornsea before finishing at Hull Estuary.

“I cycle to work and back every day and I’m aiming to ride 20 to 25 miles a day to build up my stamina. I want to be fit enough and ready for the bike ride," said Richard.

Before April, Richard will be holding a fundraising day at the Bradford Royal Infirmary on February 21.