MOTORCYCLIST Robert Wild, who was seriously injured in a horrific road accident, has inspired his biking friends to get behind the Coronary Care Appeal. The Rochdale Riders are bikers with hearts of gold, raising cash to save the lives of heart attack victims.

They will take part in a 550-mile coast-to-coast ride as a special thank-you to hospital staff for saving the life of one of their dearest friends.

Robert, aged 46, was left fighting for his life after sliding into an oncoming car at a notorious accident blackspot near Bolton earlier this year.

Gravedigger Mr Wild, of St Stephens Gardens, Middleton, suffered serious head injuries in the collision on Belmont Road at the junction with Tockholes Road.

After being nursed in the intensive care unit, Mr Wild, who works for Rochdale Council, is now set to be transferred to a hospital ward in Rochdale, where he is still undergoing treatment for a brain injury. His partner of 20 years, Pam Dalloway, said: "The staff at the Royal Bolton Hospital have been absolutely fantastic. They have saved his life. Raising money for the Bolton Coronary Care Appeal is our way of saying a big thank-you to the hospital."

The bikers are looking to raise more than £1,000 for the appeal to build a £1 million heart unit by June 2003.

They will set off from the Minerva Road hospital on June 15 at 8am, passing through Scarborough, Newcastle, Carlisle and Morecambe before returning to the Farnworth hospital at 6pm on Sunday.

Pam said: "I cannot fault the hospital in any way. It has been a very traumatic time. Robert will need to stay in for a little while longer.

"He has an amazing personality and he is very well liked by everyone who is lucky enough to meet him. He is slowly getting back to his normal self.

"And who knows, when he's better, we might finally get married!"