A 530 MILE bike ride will take place in memory of Haydn Griffiths who died while swimming off the New Brighton coastline. 

23-year-old Haydn drowned following an ill-fated attempt to swim to the wind turbines in Liverpool Bay after entering the water near Derby Pool in New Brighton on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, 

Following extensive searches by the RNLI, Haydn’s family, and members of the local community, his body was found five days later by the coastguard near the Marina in Crosby.

Now the ‘Ride 4 Haydn’ team consisting of Nick Deveraux, Sarah Jarman and Alex Hughes will be riding the Welsh coast from Chepstow to New Brighton to raise money for the RNLI in memory of Haydn.

A JustGiving page set up by the team reads: “In July 2022, on the hottest day ever recorded in the UK, Haydn Griffiths, a strong swimmer, tragically drowned whilst swimming off New Brighton beach. After five days of searching by the RNLI and coastguard his body was recovered.

“In July 2024, two years on from the incident, myself, Sarah Jarman and Alex Hughes will be riding the coast of Wales over seven days, a total of 530 miles.

“We will start in Chepstow and ride from the south to the north along the coast, finishing at New Brighton on the Wirral.

“The ride includes the same climbing as climbing Mt Everest and then descending it again. For this challenge we are aiming to raise £5,000 for the RNLI.

“Haydn was a nature lover and enjoyed being exposed to the elements.

“He enjoyed open water swimming, skateboarding, mountain biking, snowboarding and sailing, to which he competed at an international level.

“He had a can-do attitude and no matter the result, he would always come away with a smile on his face and always knew how to lighten the mood.

“This challenge was set by myself in memory of Haydn whilst trying to encompass his personality into taking me outside of my comfort zone both physically and mentally.

“For us this ride will be a physical challenge to complete as some of us are not particularly sporty anymore nor have we done any proper cycling before, so this is the unknown.

“Too many people are still drowning. More than ever we need the RNLI’s help. As a charity, the RNLI depends on our donations so it can go on saving lives and keeping us and our loved ones safe.”

Haydn’s sister, Brogan Griffiths added: “The Ride 4 Haydn Team continue to train hard for their mega cycle in July where they will be cycling from Chepstow to New Brighton.

“Two years to the week that many of you selflessly joined our search for Haydn.

“We are still so grateful and will be forever grateful for your love and support.

“Thank you for continuing to stick with us and welcome to anyone new that have joined us since.”

To donate to the JustGiving page click here.