THE wife of a Darwen cyclist, who died of a brain tumour, will lead a coast-to-coast ride in his memory.

Neil Harwood was just 36 when he lost his battle with cancer in January this year, leaving wife Suzie and 13-month-old son Ted.

He was diagnosed with an anaplastic astrocytoma in October 2012 and received treatment from East Lancashire Hospice.

Neil was an inpatient before Christmas, but managed to return home for the festive season. Tragically, though, he was readmitted on January 29 and passed away two days’ later.

Now family and friends are pulling together to complete the gruelling Way of the Roses cycle route to raise funds for East Lancashire Hospice and the Brains Trust.

Suzie, 33, said: “Neil fought a long, hard battle, but the hospice staff were so sincere and caring.

“The nurses were amazing and understanding, empathetic is a good way to describe them.”

She added: “Neil was a gentle giant. He was 6ft 4in and a friend to everyone.

“He just got on with everyone — there was no-one who didn’t like him.”

Friends from as far afield as Dorset will make up the 20-strong team who set off on August 1, aiming to complete the 170-mile route from Morecambe to Bridlington in five days.

Suzie said: “Many of us haven’t done a long distance bike ride. I’ve never done anything like this before, but promised Neil I would do it and started training before he died.”

Neil’s friend Lee Rugg, from Mellor, is among friends taking on the challenge. The two knew each other from school and Lee was best man at the couple’s wedding in 2013.

He said: “Neil loved getting out on his bike. He was down to earth, liked a laugh and a few ciders.

“The ride will be a thank you to the hospice from his wife and friends for the good care they took .”

To donate, visit: virgin moneygiving.com/team/wayoftherosesforneil