Tribute to Steve Laycock, a founder of St Edmunds Wheel Trust Bike Ride in Bury St Edmunds, which raised more than £250,000 for good causes

Tribute has been paid to one of the founders of a popular Bury St Edmunds charity bike ride which raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for good causes.

Steve Laycock died aged 71 on Wednesday, July 24 at his home in Great Barton, despite the efforts of doctors and paramedics.

A keen cyclist, he competed in the London to Brighton, Richmond to Windsor, London to Cambridge and the Norwich 100 rides to name but a few.

It inspired him to form the St Edmunds Wheel Trust Bike Ride, together with Brian Hurrell and Ian Turner.

It ran for 18 years with the first attracting 160 cyclists and grew to 760 in the last event in 2015, raising more than £250,000 for local charities.

Mr Turner said: “Cycling out of the front gate of the Abbey Gardens, Steve was there wishing them a safe and enjoyable ride.”

He said Steve was a ‘gentleman who enjoyed life to the full and more’.

Steve was a carpenter by trade before becoming a director of a roofing and scaffolding company in Bury.

He also raised money every year for the homeless, supported the Salvation Army Appeal and even sponsored a local netball team.

In Steve’s early years, he was a member of the Thetford Motor Club, enjoying night rallies, sprints and hill climbs.

He became a wine connoisseur and enjoyed holidays in Cornwall, southern Spain and skiing with his family and friends.

Mr Turner said Steve would be missed by everyone he came into contact with.

He leaves his wife Christine, brother Tim and many family and friends.