FRIENDS and family of Viola Beach guitarist River Reeves have cycled more than 400 miles in memory of the talented musician.

His loved ones followed in the tracks of the journey the 19-year-old took years earlier from Penzance where he lived with his mum Miranda Reeves to Warrington to live with his dad and step mum Ben and Sharon Dunne.

It was after moving to Warrington that he went on to join Viola Beach.

River's sister Stella Judson, from West Sussex, was just one of the group who braved the gruelling cycle.

The 34-year-old recalled it was the thought of her younger brother who helped her to reach the finish line after five-and-a-half days on the road.

She said: “I know Riv would be incredibly proud of us.

“I think he would find it hilarious that we embarked on such a huge challenge - not doing things by halves.

“He was with us all the way and got us through the tough times.

“He’d probably say ‘you’re all nuts - you’re brilliant but totally mental’.”

River died alongside his band mates Kris Leonard, 20, Tomas Lowe, 27 and Jack Dakin, 19 and their manager Craig Tarry, 32, following a crash in Sweden on February 13.

Following the devastating news, his loved ones vowed to keep his legacy alive.

The group had push themselves to the limits to raise money for the foundation set up in River’s memory.

So far more than £13,000 has been raised for the foundation which has been set up by the family to help aspiring artists overcome some of the financial challenges that can prevent them from achieving their dreams.

There will also be a donation made by the foundation to The Viola Beach and Craig Tarry Memorial Fund.

But while emotions ran high during the 410 mile cycle, it was the final stages when reality really hit.

She said: “We had the most wonderful welcome at the finish line in Warrington.

“We were all elated to get to the end and it was quite overwhelming to see everyone there.

“It really hit home how far we had come and what we had achieved.”

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