A DOCTOR is swapping his surgery for the saddle next week to embark on a 970-mile charity cycle.

Dr Ian Maudsley, who acts as Burnley FC’s matchday crowd doctor at Turf Moor, will pedal from Land’s End to John O’Groats in aid of Pendleside Hospice.

The 46-year-old, who also works at the Parkside Surgery, in Colne Road, has already raised more than half of his £2,000 fundraising target.

Dr Maudsley, of Stephenson Drive, Ightenhill, will set off from Land’s End with three friends next Tuesday.

He said: “I’ve worked for Pendleside Hospice for about 17 years as one of their out-of-hours doctors.

“What a lot of people don’t realise is that it’s not just somewhere people go to die.

“It’s about improving the patients’ quality of life and, for the vast majority of people admitted to the hospice, they will see an improvement in their symptoms. For many years I have been privileged to be able to help the hospice provide fantastic care to many patients and their families.”

The distance from Land’s End to John O’Groats is 603 miles, but sticking to classified roads extends it to 838 miles.

Dr Maudsley and his team will undertake a 970-mile route over nine days, staying at B&Bs and hostels along the way.

He said: “The training has been going very well.

“I’m just hoping I have done enough.

“I took up cycling a few years ago and always wanted to do one of the larger events.

“I’d be doing this anyway so I thought I might as well do it for the hospice.

“We’re all doing it for different causes and hopefully we all make it back in one piece.”

To sponsor Dr Maudsley, whose cycle begins on April 2, visit www.just giving.com/docdoeslejog