IT will be a family affair at a charity cycle event tomorrow — when a Bolton businessman raises money for a hospital which supported his wife through cancer treatment.

Andrew Dickson will be joined on the 60-mile trek from Manchester to Blackpool by his two sons, after they signed him up for the challenge.

Mr Dickson, aged 68, who runs the Wow Consultancy firm and is a presenter on Bolton FM, has cycled to Southport during his training and hopes he can go the extra mile on the day.

Family friend Phil Shacklady will also accompany Mr Dickson and his sons James, aged 40, a teacher who is moving to Bolton University Technical College in September, and Martin, aged 38, who runs Horwich based firm Arena Creative, on the charity challenge.

Mr Dickson said: "It all started at Christmas when my sons gave me a T-shirt and an envelope, which included entry to the Manchester to Blackpool cycle ride.

"I was a bit gobsmacked at first! But it was a good idea, I have stopped running and it has helped keep me fit. I have lost over a stone during training, so I am proud of that."

The cyclists are raising money for The Christie, because Mr Dickson's wife Pat was treated at the hospital after a cancer scare four years ago.

Mr Dickson said: "It is a wonderful place, a centre of excellence which needs our help. The support they gave to Pat was outstanding, so we want to help thank them.

"The hospital relies on public funding to keep going and to pay for new machinery, so we want to help in our own way."

They have already raised nearly £2,000 in donations online, which was set as their original target.

Anyone who wants to add to the fundraising total should visit justgiving.com/andrew-dickson21