Gillingham’s Youth Team Manager Darren Hare has told KSN how it was an emotional experience for him riding the Tour de Kent.

Hare was just one of a number of cyclists that took to the streets of Kent, cycling over 200 miles across 21 football grounds to raise money for charities Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) and Take a Heart Mercy Mission.

However, the former Dover Athletic Assistant Manager made the journey having suffered multiple heart attacks just two years ago.

Now back on the road to a full recovery and back at work at Gillingham Football Club, Hare revealed how returning to Priestfield on the Bank Holiday Monday was an emotional experience after being so close to death:

“I felt a bit emotional and midway through the Sunday there was a stage where I didn’t think I’d be able to do it. It was the toughest physical and mental challenge I have ever experienced.”

“Coupled with the fact I had a couple of heart attacks just over two years ago I feel very, very proud and grateful to everyone that helped me back then.”

“I nearly died, it was as simple as that and I had such great care from Medway Hospital and from the coronary care unit down at Ashford Hospital.”

“I was supported brilliantly, the club were fantastic, were patient, let me come back when I was ready and I feel great now. I made a few lifestyle changes and whilst I felt extremely tired having done the 200 miles, hopefully I can be a role model for people that have had illnesses and want to go on and do something that’s quite remarkable.”

“I’ve got to say, 200 miles, on a bike, all around Kent is a fantastic achievement for everybody concerned, but for me not being in the best of health and only having 90% heart function, I’m delighted and glad I’m still here!”

Hare’s achievement is remarkable given his health issues and he told KSN how he was thrilled to have completed the 200 miles with brother in law Andy Hessenthaler and great friend Mark Patterson amongst others:

“There were 200 people that started it off, 100 did the three days and with the likes of Hessy and Patto it was great.”

“We all took it in turns to hit the front and there were prevailing winds pretty much everywhere we went. We had a few laughs along the way and when I turned that final corner and saw my son (Josh) I got a bit emotional as we’d all been wishing for that moment since nine o’clock on Monday morning.”

“Sunday almost killed me and we went up a hill that seemed to go almost up to the clouds. That was a real lung buster with my thighs burning, my knees were giving up on me, but we got there.”

With plans already underway to stage the Tour de Kent again in 2014, Hare admitted he may well be tempted to ride again given it is for such great causes:

“If I do next year, it will be after two months preparation, because I didn’t really prepare enough for this one. If I got myself a bit fitter and a little bit more saddle worthy instead of saddle sore, I think I might just have another go at it.”

“It’s for two great causes, both to do with the heart and I have to say what great care I had from the NHS for everything I went through.”

Part of what CRY do is screen young athletes for heart conditions and Hare told KSN how he believes it is important players at clubs like Gillingham get their players checked out:

“In the last couple of years we’ve had players that have had slight abnormalities picked up in their heart tracings, their traces have been sent off to cardiologists and more often than not they have come back and said that’s ok.”

“Without that screening, we wouldn’t have picked up Jack Sellens’ problems. He did the first day of the bike ride all the way down to Margate with us and he only had open heart surgery in August.”

“He’s been back playing in my youth team and been doing great. He scored six goals in five games towards the end of the season, so that’s an unbelievable feat.”

“It’s amazing what they can do nowadays these cardiologists, he’s now back fully fit and I’m told that he’s now got a Formula One engine instead of a Mondeo one!”

To find out more about the ride and how you can donate to the two great causes, visit www.tourdekent13.co.uk