TWO Darwen men are raising cash for charity with a sponsored bike ride from Lands End to John O'Groats.

Richard Bury, 42, of Northcote Street, and his pal Eddie Cripps, of Sandon Street, are currently journeying through the south of the country and stayed in Bristol last Monday.

They hoping to complete the challenge in less than three weeks and are expected to pass through Darwen this Friday, when they will have a night in the comfort of their own beds.

So far they have spent nights in B&Bs or in their tents during better weather.

A friend, Ollie Taylor, said: "Richard and Eddie wanted to challenge themselves so decided to raise money for research into meningitis at the same time.

"They chose the Meningitis Help charitable trust because as fathers they both believed it was a serious issue.

"They are not regular cyclists but they were training leading up to the trip.

Richard is always doing something mad. He does paragliding and was once on Gladiators!"

Richard has also raised money for charity on other occasions - and in one instance swam a mile in Darwen Baths wearing a straitjacket.