Hospice thanked with tandem ride

Tom Morley’s aunt was cared for at Ashgate Hospice in Chesterfield for the last three weeks of her life so her nephew wanted to say thank you.

Twenty-five year-old Tom said: “They made the last few weeks of her life the best they could be - it was just a nice place to be during such a hard time.”

The gruelling ride, which takes in some arduous hills over the Pennines starts tomorrow morning and ends on Saturday afternoon.

Tom and old school friend Ben Breen (24) have been training on their tandem bike a few times a week by focusing on hill climbs.

Said Tom: “It is a lot harder than I was expecting. With it being a tandem the weight of us both is 200 kilograms and it takes a lot to get moving.

“It is quite difficult and weird getting used to riding one but can also be quite enjoyable because we are next to each other and can chat away.”

The pair are not without back-up, though, as Tom’s father, Bob, will be following in a support van packed with spares, in case of any mechanical mishaps.

The pair will be staying in hotels at Penrith and Walsingham along the way and then celebrate with a few pints in Hartlepool at the finish line.

They have set a fundraising target of £1,000.

Ashgate Hospice is an independent registered charity that provides specialist palliative care both in the hospice and community settings, for adults in North Derbyshire.

It employs approximately 200 staff helped by 450 volunteers who assist at the hospice and by fundraising.

If you would like to sponsor them please visit www.justgiving.com/Tom-Morley1.