THEY may not have been on a bike since they were kids, but that is not going to stop the daughters of a popular pub landlord cycling 120 miles in his memory.
And keeping his bar-room promise, Prime Minister David Cameron is set to allow some riders to start in Downing Street.
Mike Willis, landlord of the Tite Inn in Chadlington, died in 2010 after a three-year battle with cancer.
But before he passed away the landlord, who ran the pub for more than 20 years with wife Susan, raised thousands for charity.
Now daughters Genevieve and Nicola have vowed to carry on his name.
The pair have been training hard for the Mike Ride on April 13 and 14 – a bike run from London to Chadlington set up by Mr Willis, and now renamed in his honour.
Over the years the event has raised thousands for two of Mr Willis’ favourite charities, the Oxfordshire Association for the Blind and Adderbury’s Katharine House hospice, which in a twist of fate, later cared for Mr Willis during his illness.
Genevieve Willis, 32, of East Oxford, said: “Dad loved cycling. Every year he used to say to us ‘are you going to do the bike ride?’, and I’d always seem to make excuses.
“Obviously now it’s too late to do it with him. But I think he’d be extremely proud and happy we’re doing it in his name.”
When he was a regular at the Tite Inn, Mr Cameron took part in several of the charity rides from the pub. He said if he ever became Prime Minister the event could start in Downing Street – a promise he is ready to keep.
Nicola Willis, 27, who also lives in East Oxford, said she and her sister had been clocking up the miles in preparation. She added: “Our mum’s really chuffed and supporting us all the way.”
To sponsor them, go to justgiving.com/nicola-willis-is-doing-the-mikeride or justgiving.
com/Genevieveridesabike
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