DOZENS of cyclists joined Alan Maddock to help him spin his way to ‘fantastic’ fundraising success for a heart screening session.

Alan put his pedal power to the test on a spin bike for 12 hours to raise money for a screening session at Northwich Memorial Court in July 2017.

The spinathon was inspired by Debbie Dixon’s tireless fundraising for the vital screening sessions.

Debbie, from Tarporley, raises between £15,000 and £20,000 a year to hold screening days for young people aged 14 to 35.

Debbie’s son Aaron died in 2011, aged 23, from an undetected genetic heart defect, and since his death Debbie has held sessions to screen for undetected heart defects.

The screening is run by Cardiac Risk In The Young, for which Debbie is the Cheshire representative.

Alan is part of the finance team at Weaver Vale Housing Trust, and the spinathon, which ran from 7am to 7pm, raised £3,500, enough to pay for the session next year.

“I cycled for the whole 12 hours, while more than 50 people joined in on the spin bikes throughout the day, including two spin classes,” said Alan.

“At the start Steve Jennings, my chief executive, joined us for a cycle, Elly McFahn, the Brio Leisure managing director, was also there at 7am to support us and former Manchester City footballer Andy Morrison came along to support us.

“Debbie Dixon was a great support throughout the day, and Aaron’s sister Hollie took part.

“There were many people who helped out on the day, on the awareness stand in the foyer, and in the gym making sure people had water and recorded their kilometres.

“The final overall total was 1,878 kilometres, and I can’t thank everyone enough for the support during the day from everyone’s family and friends, my colleagues and Brio staff.

“Many kind people donated in the lead-up to the event, and on the day in the centre and online, and the total raised so far, including gift aid, is just over £3,500, which is fantastic.

“The greatest praise should go to Debbie, whose tireless fundraising is such an inspiration. I don’t know how she does it, but it is so important that she does.”

Alan thanked Fran Sant, Claire Mann and Sue Malek, who did most of the organising, Steve Jennings and Weaver Vale directors for their support, Brio MD Elly McFahn, and Tony Henshall and Paul Hesketh, Memorial Court gym manager and centre manager respectively.

Debbie and Hollie, 24, each completed the equivalent of 20 miles on the spin bikes.