Cyclists to hit the coasts

From the archive, first published Wednesday 28th Mar 2007.

A group of men plan to raise more than £600 for the centre which cared for one of their friends before he died.

The men - David Mortimer, 39, Simon Mettrick, 39, Steven Thompson, 23, all from Harden, and Johnathan Haigh, 42, from Idle - will cycle 140 miles for Oxenhope cancer hospice Manorlands next month.

The hospice looked after their friend, Paul Ellis, of Bingley, who died last year.

In order to help the hospice carry on its good work, the men will undertake a coast-to-coast bike ride from Whitehaven to Sunderland, beginning on Wednesday.

Mr Mortimer, who owns Bracken Bank Stores in Ingrow, Keighley, said he and his friends were all experienced mountain bikers.

"We've been meaning to try this route for about four years but we never got round to it," he said.

"There's some fairly steep climbs involved.

"We're doing 53 miles on the first day, 47 on the second and another 50-odd miles on the third day.

"We've been training every weekend in wind, rain, snow and fog so we're well prepared"

Donors have already pledged several hundred pounds to the cause.

Anyone else who wants to sponsor them should visit www.justgiving.com/mor timer.