The parents of a university graduate who died in a hiking accident in Argentina have raised more than £17,500 for a charity.
Helen and Eliot Minn, along with their daughter Hayley, from Borehamwood, organised a 35 mile cycle ride in memory of their son David who died in January last year during an eight month trip to South America.
The family chose to raise money for the Eve Appeal - a gynaecological cancer research charity close to their hearts.
David Minn died during a hiking accident in Argentina in January 2018
David’s paternal grandmother died of breast cancer when Eliot was aged just eight. Recently after genetic testing, Eliot found he had a BRCA mutation and so did his daughter Hayley.
Hayley, then 23, decided to have a double mastectomy but surgery was put hold after her brother's death.
She went ahead with the surgery in February this year.
This month, 100 people, including friends and family of David, took part in the cycle.
Helen, Eliot, and Hayley Minn
Helen said: “David was the most beautiful, best, smiliest, happiest, jolliest, funniest, unique, spontaneous, inspirational, positive, caring, most clever, most hard working and the most perfect son, brother, friend and mentor.
“David was very athletic, and we wanted to raise money in a way that would honour him, so we decided on a cycling event. We were completely overwhelmed with the generosity of everyone who supported us and got involved. We hoped to raise £15,000 and have so far raised over £17,500, which is just amazing.”
David had graduated from the University of Sheffield
Athena Lamnisos, CEO at the Eve Appeal, added: “We are so grateful to the Minn family for all of their hard work fundraising for the 58 women a day who are diagnosed with one of the five gynae cancers. It is fantastic to see all of their hard work pay off with the generosity of their friends and family. We wouldn’t be able to continue funding the much needed, life-saving research into gynaecological cancers without the hard work of our supporters.
“They have had an unimaginably hard year and I am humbled by what they have managed to achieve with this cycle event, and proud to call them members of Team Eve.”
To support the Minn family and donate to the Eve Appeal, visit https://www.justgiving.com/DavidMinnBikeRide2019
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