Wigan and Leigh Hospice bike ride believed to have smashed £1 million milestone

Wigan and Leigh Hospice's Manchester to Blackpool ride, which travels through Leigh, has been running for 21 years and organisers have calculated it has surpassed raising a sum of £1 million.

This year, the event will take place on Sunday, July 8.

Mick Harper, from Leigh, completed the challenge last year.

He said: “You can have a laugh and a joke, it’s all about supporting people when you can see they’re struggling.

"I would definitely encourage other people to do it.

"It’s for a fantastic cause and it’s also about getting yourself fitter.”

The hospice has to raise more than £m million each year to continue providing all its services and in 2017 it supported 1,130 people who had been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness.

Maxine Armstrong, Fundraising and Lottery Manager, said: “It’s incredible to think that over the years our riders have helped us to raise £1million for the hospice.

“It just goes to show how important this event is to the hospice and I hope many of our supporters will join us again this year.

"It’s always a fantastic atmosphere and many of our riders join us again and again.”

Riders taking part in the challenge this year will be taken to Manchester by coach with their bikes and will set off shortly after 7am.

They will pass through Trafford and Leigh before stopping at Aspull for free drinks and snacks.

The cyclists will then continue to Haigh and Standish before taking a break at Preston.

After more refreshments, the participants will ride up to Lytham and then Blackpool to complete the course.

All riders will be awarded a medal.

Everyone who sign up will be provided with a t-shirt to wear on the day and transport for them and their bike back to Wigan from Blackpool.

There will be maintenance vehicles going up and down the route to help with any breakdowns or problems.

To sign up for the event visit wlh.org.uk or contact the fundraising team on 01942 525566 or e-mail fundraising@wlh.org.uk.