DLD's Finance Assistant, Emily O'Brien took part in the British Heart Foundation's London to Brighton Bike Ride on 20th June 2010.

DLD's Finance Assistant, Emily O'Brien took part in the British Heart Foundation's London to Brighton Bike Ride on 20th June 2010. Emily and friends enjoyed the event, here is her story: "Although I am not by any means an accomplished cyclist, the London to Brighton Bike Ride is something I have wanted to participate in for a while now, so I am very pleased I finally bought a bike, got on it and managed to survive.

On Sunday morning over 27,000 people set off from Clapham Common (with various start times) and all were ready to cycle the 54 mile journey to Brighton, taking an average time of six hours to complete. It didn't start very smoothly for me at 8am, when I forgot my helmet and had to wait nervously before the start line until it was dropped off just in time for my part to begin. But as the cycling progressed and the day went on it got better and better, right up until the warm welcome from the crowds waiting along Brighton's seafront all clapping and cheering us on to the finish line.

After a very tiring but successful day, my fellow team mates and I managed to raise £585 for the cause and we hope to raise funds of £700 and more in total over the next few weeks. This will all go towards the British Heart Foundation's £4.5 million target to enable the charity to continue in their valuable research into heart disease, and in their developments of care and support services. I would like to thank all my colleagues at DLD for their help and support for what truly is a great cause, and was a great day." Emily O'Brien, Finance Officer