A CHARITY fund-raiser will wheel-y need packs of pedal power when he sets out on a 1,000 mile bike ride.

The Emerald Isle Expedition will take Chris Mann, from Ashton, Preston, virtually round the coast of Ireland in just a fortnight from May 25.

Half the funds raised will go to the Citizen's appeal for the Lancashire and Lakeland Cancer Unit being built at the Royal Preston Hospital and the remainder to the Macmillan Nurses.

Chris lost a close friend to bone cancer only last September. She suffered the disease for three years, during which she had to endure regular trips to Manchester for treatment.

Chris explained: "She used to hate the constant travel. It was so traumatic for her. You can't understand that stress until you've been close to someone who's been through it. After she died I just had to do something useful."

The brave biker will sail from Swansea to Cork taking only his cycle and a change of clothes. His daily routine will involve pedalling 75 miles a day with few breaks.

He added: "I started training in January round Longridge Fell and the Trough of Bowland and I've been through storms and snow blizzards, so I'm physically fit enough.

"The hardest thing will be the mental side of it, the loneliness, and the thought of having to cycle for hours on end every day for a fortnight. My friends think I'm raving mad but I'm confident I'll do it."

Chris has already totted up £1,000 in sponsorship but he desperately needs to double that figure to reach his target - and he is appealing to local companies and the general public to help out.

If you can support Chris's Emerald Isle Expedition contact him on (01772) 725312.

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