A CYCLIST who was injured when a tree fell on him has donated £500 of the compensation he was awarded to Derian House Children’s Hospice.

Les Marsden, 69, from Gillibrand in Chorley, was cycling in nearby Euxton in June 2013, when workers cut down a tree which fell across the road and landed on his head and shoulder.

Mr Marsden, who still cycles four times a week, successfully sued the people responsible, and decided to share his compensation with his family and friends, and also with Derian House.

Les Marsden was cycling on a quiet country Lane in Euxton, Chorley two years ago, when he approached an S-bend.

He could hear chainsaws being used at a nearby property but was not expecting a large tree to suddenly come crashing down on top of him, knocking him off his bike and trapping him underneath.

The workmen ran over to him and offered assistance, as well as calling an ambulance. Mr Marsden was treated at the scene by the same paramedic who treated Sir Bradley Wiggins after he was knocked off his bike in Wrightington in 2012.

He was taken to Chorley and South District General Hospital, and then to Preston Royal Infirmary before being allowed home.

The accident left Les with a benign hip fracture and unable to walk without assistance for three months afterwards.

After winning his claim Mr Marsden, himself a cancer survivor, was awarded compensation and donated £500 of it to Derian House, which cares for life-threatened youngsters and provides support to their families.