FOUR pals will be cycling nearly 130 miles next Sunday for the Raise the Roof appeal — which now stands at £54,000.

Rob Mason and Steven Howard, of Blackburn and brothers Nick and Neil Hirst, of Colne will be tackling a Leeds and Liverpool Canal route to support East Lancashire Hospice.

The Lancashire Telegraph campaign, which aims to raise £125,000 to build a new roof over the hospice’s inpatients unit in Park Lee Road, Blackburn has reached £54,000 so far.

Rob, 37, from Pleckgate, wanted to try and raise £1,000 for the charity after his dad, Mick Mason, 60, died at the hospice in May last year.

He said: “My dad died from mesothelioma brought on by asbestosis.

“He was given six months to live, but didn’t go for any treatment like radiotherapy. He just wanted to be made comfortable and live the best he could at home.

“The hospice nurses that they sent out to him, I honestly couldn’t sing their praises highly enough.

“I would like to raise as much as I can for them just to show my appreciation.”

The 127-mile route will be a new test for the four friends.

Rob said: “I’m sort of looking forward to it, but a little bit nervous too."

“We’re fairly keen mountain bikers but we’ve never done anything over that sort of distance.

“I think the furthest we’ve done is about 60 miles, so we’re hoping to double that and do it in under 16 hours.”

The group have raised £680 so far.

You can help them reach their target by making a donation at www.justgiving.co.uk/robertmason37

How to donate

  • By text - Send ROOF to 70700. Texts cost £5 plus network charge. East Lancashire Hospice receives at least £4.45. Obtain bill payers permission. Customer care 08448479800.

    Charity No 1075653.

  • Online - At eastlancshospice.org.uk/roof-appeal. Remember to add the word ‘roof’ in the comments section so it is clear the donation is for this appeal.
  • At a bank - Make a payment at any Yorkshire Bank, Account No 22741541, Sort Code 05-02-52. Locally there are branches in Accrington, Barnoldswick, Blackburn, Burnley, Chorley, Clitheroe, Colne, Nelson and Todmorden.
  • By post - Send a cheque to Roof Appeal, East Lancashire Hospice, Park Lee Road, Blackburn, BB2 3NY.
  • By phone - Pay by debit or credit card by ringing 01254 733410.

If surplus funds are raised they will be used for the general purposes of the charity.

Click on the link below for more information on the Raise The Roof campaign.