Devon woman dies on fundraising ride

A charity worker from Devon has tragically died in South America while raising money with a round the world cycling challenge.

Sharon Bridgman, 38, is reported to have been killed instantly after being hit by a motorist in Bolivia on Saturday afternoon.

The Evening Standard reports that Mrs Bridgman was about 100m to 200m behind her husband, riding in a remote desert region 270 miles of the Bolivian capital La Paz, when she was hit by the 4X4 Toyota Land Cruiser on Saturday afternoon.

Sharon and her husband, Tim, from  Zeal Monachorum, near Okehampton had been cycling in an attempt to raise £10,000 for disaster relief charity Shelterbox.

Having left the UK in 2012, their journey had already taken them through Europe and Africa as part of their three-year “North2North” tour.

The couple were on the return leg of their journey and were due to return to the UK within a few weeks.

The driver has been arrested by police and is in custody awaiting a court appearance.

British diplomats are understood to be assisting Mr Bridgman.

His wife’s body has been flown to the Bolivian capital La Paz ahead of its repatriation to the UK.

They are due home in several days.

Update: In tribute to Sharon several close friends of the couple have pledged to try and raise Sharon's target of £10,000 for disaster relief charity Shelterbox.

To donate visit- https://www.justgiving.com/north2northcycletour

Picture: Sharon Bridgman and Husband Tim, photo via north2northcycletour