Cash pours in for cyclist killed while on charity bike ride

Donations are still pouring in for a father-of-three who was killed in a car accident during a 24-hour charity cycle ride.

More than £40,000 has so far been pledged in memory of Christian Smith’s JustGiving webpage who died following the crash at about 4am on Saturday.

The fundraiser from Boughton Aulph in Kent was attempting to circumnavigate the counties of Kent and Sussex in aid of the mental health charity MIND when he was in collision with a blue Peugeot 206 car on the A2990, near Chestfield, Kent.

The 18-year-old female driver of the car was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and causing death by dangerous driving and has been released on police bail.

Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, said the charity was “devastated” to hear the news and thanked the public for their continued donations.

“We were shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of Christian Smith,” he said.

“Our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this extremely difficult time.

“Mind is grateful for the continued dedication of all our fundraisers, without whom we would not be able to support the hundreds of thousands of people affected by mental health problems across England and Wales.”

Mr Smith had set out on Friday to complete his “Kent Epic” of cycling 248 miles around Kent in 24 hours.

A statement from Mr Smith’s family said he leaves behind “a loving wife and three children.”

In his last posting on his JustGiving webpage, Mr Smith, who would have celebrated his 39th birthday next week, wrote: “Oh crap what have I done....6 days to go. Birthday drinks in Kings Head on 29th March if I am still alive by then.”

Describing his fundraising bid, he wrote: “This is an attempt to cycle the full 24hrs and the full distance, largely unsupported (because nobody is stupid enough to volunteer!). So there are no motorcycle outriders, support vehicles or hot chicks to wipe my brow.

“As much as this being a physical effort, it will also be a mental struggle, enduring a long dark night alone, knackered. Not to mention the long training sessions ahead of me to prepare.”

Explaining his motivation, he added: “In short I want to support the charity MIND, raise awareness towards the great support that they offer, and help bring an end to the stigma that is attached to those who suffer from mental health problems.

“I have had my own misfortune to suffer from a spate of poor mental health, which was unexpected and has been a real ’game changer’ in how I now view the future.

“It has been a tough road to get to this point but I have been fortunate enough to have the support of my family and friends.

“There are those who are not so fortunate to have the same level of support and understanding. They suffer in silence and are alone. This challenge is for those people.”

He also posted: “If I get to £1,000 I will cycle naked around Wye!” His total has already reached 40 times his goal.

Pc Jamie Woodhams, of the Kent Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “We are continuing to appeal for witnesses to come forward.

“In particular, we would like to speak to anybody who saw the Peugeot travelling along the road prior to the collision.”