A WOMAN has raised more than £7,000 cycling 500 miles in memory of her former marine brother.

Emma Young rode from the marine base in Lympstone to Arbroath in memory of Darrener Martin Craig, who was just 17 when he died in a motorbike accident two days after passing out as a Royal Marine in 1987.

The ride marked the 25th anniversary year of his death.

Mrs Young, 39, was joined by a number of other riders during the mammoth ride, which took a week to complete.

She said: “The event was a huge success and to date we have raised well over £7,000, which is still growing.”

Mrs Young said there were four riders who joined her for the leg that passed through Darwen, including friends from Blackburn Cadets and an ex-Royal Marine.

She said: “We celebrated with Champagne at the gates of RM Condor and then went into the Garden of Remembrance there and met the gardener who helped us choose a tree, which we will be planting in memory of Martin in the next couple of months.

“I would like to thank everyone for their donations and well-wishes.”

Martin died on November 15, 1987, after being found on a grass verge at Duckworth Hill, Oswaldtwistle.

He had been riding a motorbike from Blackburn bus station to Burnley, where he was due to meet up with his girlfriend.

Mrs Young, a former pupil of St Cuthbert’s Primary School and St Wilfrid’s High School, Blackburn, left Darwen when she was 18 to join the Navy. She now lives near Stockport.

The siblings grew up at The Olde England Kiosk, Sunnyhurst Woods, which was then owned by their parents, Elaine and Craig Gordon.

Mr and Mrs Gordon later owned Craiglands in Watery Lane and now live at Chapels Brow.

To sponsor her, visit www.justgiving.com/lympstone-to-arbroath