Kellogg’s Plant to Plant Cycle Challenge – Kevin Li-Smith Memorial Ride

Friends and staff at Kellogg’s have raised more than £3000 for charity after taking part in a gruelling bike ride in memory of a colleague who died suddenly.

Workers at Kellogg’s factories in Wrexham and Manchester took on a ‘Plant to Plant’ challenge in memory of Kevin Li-Smith, of Coed y Glyn, Wrexham, who died suddenly of a heart attack aged 48, in March 2012.

On August 9th, 140 cyclists rode the 51 mile route from Manchester to Wrexham and raised more than £3,000 for the British Heart Foundation.

Organiser and competitor Shaun O’Keefe, who worked along side Mr Li-Smith in the warehouse of the Wrexham factory for 15 years said the annual event has ‘helped keep his friend’s memory alive’.

Mr O’Keefe said: “It was a shock when Kevin died because he was a very fit athlete. He was out for a run when he suffered a heart attack – which is why his family chose the British Heart Foundation.

“Some undertook more training than others to prepare for it but we all enjoyed it.”

Riders of all abilities took part in the race, with the fastest rider completing the journey in two hours and twenty six minutes.

Mr O’Keefe added: “It was a real mixture of staff based at Wrexham and Manchester as well as friends and family. It shows how popular he was. He was a good friend and I’d like to thank all who took part, plans for next year are already afoot.”