A GROUP of friends is to take on a gruelling cycle challenge to show support for a charity close to their hearts.

They are taking to two wheels to tackle a ‘Wear to Walney’ route in aid of the Tigerlilly Trust and The Bluebell Foundation – both charities which aid bereaved parents.

The ride was the brainchild of Darren Miller, 37, from Swarthmoor, and Antony Pearson, 33, from Haver-thwaite, to support two friends who lost their baby following a miscarriage.

Darren: “This is our way of  showing how much we care. Every penny we raise is for the charities that were there for them when we couldn’t be.”
 

It was in August that Robert Kitchin, 37, and his wife Anne-Marie, 27, of Ulverston, found out their child had no heartbeat during a 23 week scan.
 

Mrs Kitchin, a nurse at Westmorland General Hospital, later gave a still-birth to their daughter Sophie-Rose at Furness General Hospital.

The couple received help from the Tigerlilly Trust, a local charity that provides support for bereaved parents and the Bluebell Foundation.

And, despite not having been on a bike for 15 years, Rob is joining the epic 152 mile adventure with stopovers in Barnard Castle and Kendal. “The cycling has been a therapy, I can talk with the lads when we’re out,” he said.
 

The ride will start on June 5 and £1,500 has been pledged so far.

For more information and to make a donation email weargoingtowalney @yahoo.co.uk or visit www.facebook.com/wear-goingtowalney