LONG distance lorry driver John Grayson has decided to get back on a bike after 30 years to raise money for charity.

And he is planning to kick start his fund-raising effort by holding a charity auction at the Weir Hotel in his home village in Rossendale.

Because John is away delivering nationwide through the week he takes his bike with him in the wagon. When he parks up he hops on his bike to keep up the training.

He also cycles from his home in Burnley Road, Weir, to work in Bury on Monday and back home on Friday.

John, 56, said: "I work out at Bodyline Health Studio in Waterfoot and I saw a poster asking for people to take up the challenge of a bike ride from the Dead Sea to the Red Sea.

"It had been been more than 30 years since I had been on a bike but I just thought this was a way in which I could give something back."

John, who will be joined by five other members of Bodyline, will be raising money for the Children's Hospital Appeal Trust to supply ambulances which have video links to hospitals. Each costs £180,000 and the charity wants to provide six.

John said: "I have to raise £2,200 and the trip costs £200. We will fly from Gatwick on February 13 to Jerusalem and then we will have five days in which to complete the 250 mile challenge.

"I am also looking to organise '60s and '70s nights at local pubs the Weir Hotel and the Deerplay in the near future."

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