A DEVASTATED widower whose ‘beautiful’ wife and baby died within six days of each other is cycling coast to coast in an effort to do something ‘positive’.

Nicola Wood, 28, was three days overdue with her and husband David Wood’s first child when she collapsed and died at their Ulverston home on May 3.

Only six days later, their daughter Charlotte also died having been starved of oxygen for 30 minutes.

Now 29-year-old Mr Wood has decided to buy a bike and peddle the 180-mile route from Whitby to Walney to raise cash to buy specialist equipment for the Royal Preston Hospital and Furness General Hospital.

“I’m not a cyclist at all but all my friends are into cycling and they were just getting me out the house,” said Mr Wood.

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Mr Wood and 50 of his pals will set out for the two day journey on October 3, stopping over 100 miles in at Kirkby Stephen.

“At first I thought there was only five of us so it’s just been overwhelming that so many people are wanting to help.

“Me and Nicola only got married last July, and about 28 of the people who came to the wedding are doing it,” he added.

The electrician, who runs Turton and Wood Electrical Contractors, has a target of £30,000 and is already well on his way with almost £9,500 raised through his Just Giving page, set up just one month ago.

Mr Wood added that he also had a collection of £4,500 from the funeral of Charlotte and Mrs Wood, who he had been with for ten years.

He continued: “I want to buy a work station worth £10,000 for the special care unit in Preston because that’s where Charlotte was and I also want to buy a piece of transport equipment for Barrow as well.

“I want to give other children and babies the best chance possible.

“I don’t want anybody else to be in my situation.

“It’s horrendous and I refuse to believe this has happened to me.”

Mr Wood said he had already started training for the challenge.

“I’ve been going out and about three or four times a week building up mileage and I did 70 miles last Sunday.

“I can pretty much guarantee when it’s finished I won’t ever ride a bike again!” he added.

To make a donation visit www. justgiving.com/David-Wood31