A TEAM of cyclists will ride the length of the Leeds-Liverpool canal in 24 hours in memory of a lifeguard who died in a car crash two years ago.

Tom Petty, 25, died, along with his girlfriend Jessica Foxley, 21, and friend Philip Wright, 25, when their car crashed in Skipton Road, Colne, in July 2009.

Now a dozen of the retained firefighter’s family and friends are hoping to complete the 128-mile challenge in just one day to raise awareness of the Tom Petty Foundation.

All those taking part either work, or workout, at Pendle Leisure Centre in Colne, where Tom was a lifeguard.

They will be setting off from Liverpool at 5am on Friday August 12 and aiming to reach the end of the canal in Leeds by 5am on the following day.

Gym instructors John Bannister and Andy Pickard, who were both friends and colleagues of Tom, organised the ride.

John, 33, said: “We wanted to do something to support his charity and came up with the idea of the bike ride.

“We are going to cycle from Liverpool to Leeds within 24 hours – hopefully.”

Andy said: “We will all start together, ride together and finish together. So we will be up against the clock. But we are all determined to do it.”

With just five weeks to go John, Andy, fellow colleagues Clive Escreet, Adam Blakely and Isobel Eccles, gym members Helen Kalan, Chris Hayhurst, David Brown and Wendy Brown and Tom’s uncle, Steve Petty, are all in training.

Christopher Dean, a presenter at 2br is also taking part, along with Great British Racing Team member Paul Oldham.

Steve, Tom’s uncle said: “I can’t believe I’ve agreed to take part. It really is going to test me, but I feel I should do my bit and I’m determined not to let the team down.

“It’s really touching that these people want to do something so challenging to raise awareness of Tom’s foundation.”

The foundation, launched by Tom’s family last year, works to help the borough’s youngsters get involved in sport.