A GROUP of cabbies from Chorley are getting out of their driving seats and into their saddles to raise cash for Derian House.

The 10 workmates from A&M Star Cars are set to walk to Blackpool and cycle back -- a total of 58 miles in just one day in aid of the children's hospice in Chorley.

Their boss Karen Whittingham has even installed an exercise bike in the cab office in Eaves Lane to help them get into shape.

"Most of them have not done a shred of exercise in years," she said. "I don't know a lazier profession than taxi drivers -- they don't walk anywhere.

"We're all totally unfit, myself included. I'm just hoping to make it past Clayton Brook! "

Karen will be joining her colleagues on the trek, even though she has metal plates and pins in her leg from an accident a decade ago.

The drivers and control room staff will leave Chorley Town Hall at 9am on Sunday, September 5, before walking to Blackpool Tower and cycling back again for around 11pm. Some of the drivers will be doing the sponsored journey with no sleep as they are working until 6am the night before.

Karen, who is 45 but has not ridden a bike since she was 14, said: "The idea came from a friend who is organising a charity night for Derian. He asked us to get involved and one of our drivers came up with this idea.

"It's really taken off and our customers have been very generous.

"None of the drivers took any persuading whatsoever and they've all been really enthusiastic.

"They have even started a competition to see who could raise the most cash in one night. They collected £400 in the first three days."

The cause is one close to Karen's heart, as her 18-year-old daughter Georgia suffers from cerebal palsy. "It's really touched me because I've seen some of Georgia's friends spend their last days in Derian House," she said. "It's a great cause and we hope we can raise around £2,000 in the end."