A CHARITY appeal started by a cancer survivor who died during his sponsored cycle has hit £60,000 - more than 150 times his original target.

Robin Chard, 48, was raising money for Cancer Research UK by taking part in the RideLondon-Surrey 100 challenge on Sunday when he had a cardiac arrest 25 miles in.

Despite receiving immediate medical attention from other riders and medics he died later in Kingston Hospital.

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He set himself a target of bringing in £400 for the charity before the race but donations on his JustGiving page have now smashed the £60,000 mark.

His wife Vickie said: "Robin was doing something he loved to raise money for Cancer Research UK, a cause that was very important to him after losing his father, his mother's partner and my mother to cancer.

"I'd like to thank everyone who has helped and supported Robin and me, especially the event stewards, the event team and the amazing staff at Kingston Hospital."

Before the race Mr Chard posted on his JustGiving page encouraging people to donate so he could reach a target of £400.

His post said he had lost his father Edwin and his mum's long-term partner Bert to lung cancer, as well as his mother-in-law Sheila to non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

He added he had overcome the cancer Hodgkin Lymphoma as a child.

On Saturday he posted on his Facebook page: "I am riding the Prudential 100 for Cancer Research UK tomorrow and I would like to say a huge thank you to all my family, friends and regulars at my local The Nightingale in Bicester for their generous donations, not forgetting Kieran O'Brien Matt Kaprockyj and Jeanette Lee the team who run the pub. Thank you all for your most generous donations."

Oxford Mail:

His sister Andrea Day, 43, said: "We are very touched by the kind messages and donations from everyone on Robin's JustGiving page.

"As you can imagine we are all very shocked and saddened by the news of his passing.

"He was a beloved son, husband, father, brother and friend to so many and will be sorely missed."

Prudential RideLondon is a three-day festival that was held from Friday to Sunday, and the London-Surrey 100 event took place on Sunday.

The race began at 6am in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and followed a 100-mile route through closed city roads and into Surrey before returning to finish in The Mall.

Mr Chard was a regular at The Nightingale pub in Langford, where landlord Matt Kaprockyj also paid tribute today.

Speaking to the Oxford Mail he said: "I am totally shocked, it has still not really sunk in yet.

"He has raised a lot of money for the charity.

"He was a great bloke.

"Two days ago he helped us to fix our CCTV and he helped us when we had computer problems.

"He will be sadly missed by all of the staff and his friends at The Nightingale."

Many people have left tributes on social media and on the JustGiving page, where Mr Chard said even the smallest donations would be gratefully received.

Cherwell district councillor Dan Sames said: "When Rob asked me to sponsor him he was full of enthusiasm for the event and to be able to do something for Cancer Research.

"He was a warm and friendly man who enjoyed spending time with friends and he will be missed by all those who knew him."

Mr Chard's nieces Sophie Louise Jenkins and Ashleigh Ann Day posted tributes on Facebook and Cancer Research UK also thanked him for taking part in the race.

The charity's executive director of fundraising Ed Aspel said: "We send our sincerest condolences to the family of Robin Chard.

"We are very grateful that he chose to cycle in RideLondon to support Cancer Research UK and would like to express our deepest sympathy to his loved ones at this difficult time."