Pedal power to help out Liam

Eight crew members from the port are among a 26-strong team who plan to cycle from Barrow Lifeboat station to the Fleetwood station in a sponsored fund-raiser for four different good causes.

They want to help the charities MacMillan Nurses, the Army Benevolent Fund and the Brain Tumour Charity.

The group are also raising funds for the Boathouse Group, an organisation set up in the town which is supporting Fleetwood man Liam Lenihan, who is suffering from a serious condition.

Liam, 21, had started on an interactive media studies course, at Lancaster University, despite having to deal with the challenges of autism.

But last summer Liam had to face up an even more daunting challenge – he was diagnosed with the life-threatening condition, Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

The illness has interfered with Liam’s studies and his one real hobby, kayaking on Fleetwood boating lake.

So the Boathouse Charity is trying to raise funds to send him to the Catholic shrine at Lourdes in France, this summer – and the cycling Lifeboatmen aim to help.

Their cycle challenge is due to take place on May 14.

Fleetwood Lifeboat member Dave Jordan, who is coordinating the ride, said: “There are 26 of us altogether, a mixture of Barrow and Fleetwood Lifeboat members and Army personnel based at Fulwood barracks.

“If you’re not a big cyclist, then a 100 bike ride is quite a challenge, especially as there are a few hills to get over!

“A few of us have been in training for it – we’ve already done 30 miles from Barrow to Grange-Over-Sands, and a few other rides.”

Dave, 51, who grew up in Fleetwood but now lives on North Drive, Cleveleys, added: “The money we raise is going to be split between four charities which are all doing good work, so we want to raise as much as possible.”

Anyone who wants to sponsor the group should visit: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com and log onto the Make a Donation page and then type in the name David Jordan, and onto “pedaling for hope”.