TWO adventurous local men will join 28 other British cyclists on a sponsored bike ride through the remote tribal hills of Orissa, India.

John Sparrow, 23, from Bury, and David Hudson, 59, from Ramsbottom will visit villages where they will see how people are being cured of the dreadful disabling and stigmatising disease, leprosy.

All the sponsorship raised will go to LEPRA, the British Leprosy Relief Association.

The non-professional cyclists will be covering their own costs so that all the money donated will go where it is most needed. They are each aiming to raise £1,050 which, at £21 per cure, is enough to give 50 leprosy patients back their health and enable them once again to be accepted into their families and communities.

The ride takes place between January 25 and February 8 next year.

John, an ex-computer programmer and now Bury College student and David, a retired Vice-Principal of Bury College, are currently training and raising as much money as possible.

To support them with a donation, ring John on 0161 761 5517 or David on 01204 886070.

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