A DISABLED cyclist has set out on a challenge to visit all the football grounds in the North West to raise money for a charity that helped him.

Alex Hook wants to raise £3,500 for the Blackburn Community Sports Club after they paid for a new handcycle for him last year.

Mr Hook, from the Intack area of Blackburn, will be travelling 170 miles over four days, taking in all the local Football League stadia before finishing at Ewood Park tomorrow.

The 24-year-old said it is his way of giving something back to the centre for all its support.

He said: “They’ve done a lot for me over the years, I thought it was time to do something for them.

“I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a long time, but now the preparation has been done and everything’s right.

“It’s been brilliant so far, all the clubs I’ve visited have really got behind me.

“I love the challenge, it’s great for me, I just love it.”

So far he has visited the grounds of Morecambe, Fleetwood, Preston, Blackpool and Wigan.

He lost access to his previous hand cycle in November 2015 after the charity which loaned it to him took it back.

Mr Hook was born prematurely and as a result has Cerebral Palsy, which means he has weakness in the left side of his body and cannot walk.

He has been a member of Blackburn Community Sports Club disability section since its inception in 2005 and is popular with members and volunteers alike.

Mr Hook is a big Rovers fan and a season ticket holder for 18 years, and is excited to see his side at the conclusion of his challenge.

He will be a special guest at their Championship game against Aston Villa on Saturday and will be on the pitch at half-time.

He said: “Rovers are a massive part of my life.

“As long as I get there in time for kick-off on Saturday I’ll be happy.

“It’ll be a big day for them as well, so hopefully it’ll go well for both of us.”

The cyclist is being supported by seven cycle instructors from Sporting NRG in Blackburn.

This will be the first challenge of many for him and his long term aim is to cycle from Ewood Park to Wembley Stadium for the FA Cup Final in the future.

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Alex-HookNWTour.