Around The World By Bicycle, Christian Killed Hit by Car

Cyclist killed in crash while taking part in 24-hour charity bike ride as donations flood in

A cyclist has been killed after he was hit by a car during a 24-hour charity bike ride.Christian Smith, a 38-year-old father-of-three from Boughton Aulph, near Kent, was killed while raising money for mental health charity Mind. He was in the middle of his "Kent Epic" - a charity cycle ride which took him on a 248-mile route around Kent and Sussex, which began on Friday. At 4am on Saturday, he was hit by a Peugeot 206 on Old Thanet Way, near Chestfield, Whitstable. An 18-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and causing death by dangerous driving.

She has been bailed until July 26th. Mr Smith had undertaken a number of charity cycling events, raising money for good causes including the British Heart Foundation, Prostate Cancer UK and Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

He chose to raise money for Mind because he'd suffered from mental health problems in the past. He wrote on his JustGiving page: "I have had my own misfortune to suffer from a spate of poor mental health which was unexpected and has been a real 'game changer' in how I now view the future.

"It has been a tough road to get to this point but I have been fortunate enough to have the support of my family and friends.

"We are all responsible for making change happen. Thanks so much." Since his death, donations to Mr Smith's charity page have flooded in. More than £12,000 has now been given to charity by people offering their condolences to Mr Smith's family, more than eight times the original target of £1,000.

In a statement, his family said: "Christian Smith, of Boughton Aulph in Kent, was killed in the early hours of Saturday morning, while cycling to raise money for the MIND charity.

"Christian leaves a loving wife and three children. "The family ask that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time." PC Jamie Woodhams of Kent Police said: "We are continuing to appeal for witnesses to come forward.

"In particular, we would like to speak to anybody who saw the Peugeot travelling along the road prior to the collision."