A charitable cycling duo have coasted to victory for Kirkwood Hospice after tackling a formidable 170-mile ride.

Slaithwaite resident and owner of the village’s Meadow Court Residential Home, Steve Humble, took on the challenge on the August Bank Holiday weekend with his daughter’s boyfriend, Oliver Ratcliffe, in memory of his dad, Melyvn, who died from lung cancer last September.

The pair braved torrential rain and imposing hills along their chosen way of the roses route, which stretched from Morecombe to Bridlington and have so far raised a staggering £3,253.

Steve said: “We set off on August 22 in the early morning and cycled 62 miles to Burnsall, before doing 80 miles to Pocklington on Saturday and 45 miles to Bridlington on the final day, where we had quite a lot of family and friends waiting for us at the finish line.

The weather was better than expected, although we got drenched around Pateley bridge on the Saturday and remarkably we were injury free at the end of it, but with creaking bikes, sore backsides and tight legs.

“It was a long and arduous but very enjoyable few days and we want to thank everyone for both their kind words of support, encouragement and donations-it really helped and has meant so much.”

It was an impressive achievement for Steve, 42, an ex-smoker who gave up his habit when his dad became ill and only started training in May. His mother, June, is also receiving treatment at the hospice now for lymphoma, where the money will be used to enhance facilities and available support.

Steve said: “My dad and our family had fantastic support from Kirkwood Hospice staff throughout his illness and my mum continues to get that and goes to the hospice every Tuesday for day care.

“Until a few years ago this horrible ‘Big C’ illness was something I knew very little about, but I seem to know more and more people that are affected these days, including a good friend who passed away last week.

“Having visited him at the hospice you realise what a fantastic job the staff are doing and that these facilities are not cheap to run and keep.”

To make a donation to Steve and Oliver’s challenge go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/morecambe2bridlington