Staff members at John Lewis High Wycombe are set to take on a bike challenge to raise money for Brain Tumour Research in memory of their colleague.

The store chose Brain Tumour Research as its charity of the year after losing two of its staff members, including father-of two Andy Graham, to brain tumours.

Mr Graham, 52, died on New Year’s Eve 2017 after his wife, Gill, made the heartbreaking decision to turn off his life support.

The camera expert worked at the High Wycombe store for 29 years and started having dizzy spells in early 2016, which were put down to an inner ear infection. As the dizziness continued, he went back to the GP and was sent for a routine scan.

Mr Graham was diagnosed with a low-grade haemangioblastoma but, despite surgery and treatment, the tumour continued to grow.

After two bleeds on his brain, he was unresponsive in hospital in intensive care, and his devastated wife, on the advice of medical experts, decided it was time to let him go.

She said: “I’ve been shocked to learn just how many people are affected by brain tumours. The boys [his children Oliver and Daniel] and I are trying to do our bit to raise awareness of this sad fact and we hope that one day a cure will put an end to all this suffering.”

To mark On Yer Bike Day on February 23, staff members at the store will jump on static bikes and pedalling as many miles as they can throughout the weekend.

Michele Grey, head of corporate fundraising for Brain Tumour Research, said: “We are very grateful to John Lewis and Andy’s family for their support. We hope they will inspire others and many more people will get on their bike this February.”

Dawn Stokoe, partner & community liaison coordinator at John Lewis High Wycombe said: “Having seen two of our partners succumb to brain tumours, we were all clear we wanted Brain Tumour Research to be our branch charity.

“So many partners have used their skills, creativity and energy to raise over £5,000 from events such as a chef-at-home silent auction to car washes and raffles and even a sponsored bush tucker trial.

“This has been a real team effort as we are totally behind Brain Tumour Research’s quest for a cure.”

On Yer Bike has been running since 2012 when it was launched as a local event by brain tumour patient Paul Halfpenny, from Derbyshire.

Paul sadly passed away in 2014 but the event continued and now takes place around the UK.