Three generations of Wigan family get in the saddle to honour their pal

Joe, Stephen and Justin Belshaw lost their friend Trevor Mitchell on August 9 last year after the 66-year-old had long suffered with Lewy body dementia.

This is the second most common type of progressive dementia after Alzheimer’s disease - and the cycling trio now want to raise awareness.

And Joe, 62, Stephen, 40, and Justin, 17, cycled 69 miles from Wigan to Carnforth and have raised more than £1,500 for The Lewy Body Society.

The charity campaigns for better awareness of Lewy body dementia and funds clinical research and has its headquarters in Wigan.

Stephen said that Trevor was a “dear family friend” and that the trio from Wigan wanted to help in the way he had helped his dad.

He said: “The cycling event was my dad’s idea, Joe Belshaw who is 62, and Justin, my 17-year-old son, also took part.

“My dad has said that after a lifetime of Trevor helping in one way or another, now it’s his turn to do something in Trevor name.

“Raising money for charity to help with their mission to research into and raise awareness of LBD is his way of doing it.

“Seeing Trevor’s health deteriorate was heartbreaking.

“If we can help ever so slightly, by raising money to research into and perhaps one day prevent the illness, aid sufferers and their friends or families then we will.”

On its website, The Lewy Body Dementia Society thanked Joe, Stephen and Justin for their efforts.

They said: “We would like to thank Joe, Stephen and Justin Belshaw from Wigan, who completed a 69 mile cycle from Wigan to Carnforth in memory of their friend Trevor Mitchel, raising over £1,500 for the Lewy Body Society.

“The trio – three generations of father and son aged 62, 40 and 17 – are passionate about supporting Lewy body dementia research after seeing their close family friend Trevor struggle with the disease and sadly pass away last year at the age of 66.”

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