A madcap Last of the Summer Wine-inspired fundraiser to raise cash for #HandsOffHRI takes to Holmfirth’s streets this weekend.

Campaigners will be pushing ‘Compo’ in a bed on a two-mile route from Sid’s Cafe to Sands Rec and back, on Saturday.

The stunt, organised by #HandsOffHRI’s Holme Valley committee, hopes to raise cash for the campaign’s legal costs.

The BBC comedy’s most famous character, played by #HandsOffHRI member Alan Landsdowne will be pushed by five volunteers on a bed which previously saw action in Knaresborough Bed Race.

En route from Sid’s Cafe the volunteers will be collecting donations and spreading word of the campaign to save Huddersfield’s A&E.

The bed will passing the Picturedrome, the Peace Gardens, Market Street, onto Sands Rec and past Holmfirth Pool.

#HandsOffHRI Compo Bed Push route. Pls credit: Google Maps

From 10am before the main event there will be a bake-off and cake decorating contest as well live music outside the cafe.

Event organiser Krista Hewitt said: “We’re hoping to do some sketches about Compo not wanting to go to Calderdale Royal Hospital and wanting to go to HRI instead.

“The bed is designed to be pushed. It has good wheels and handrails.”

Krista added: “We’ll probably do it even if it’s pouring down.”

As with all #HandsOffHRI fundraisers, however, there’s a serious message in the madness.

Holmfirth members of HandsOffHRI getting ready for Saturdays Bedpush around Holmfirth. left to right, Beryl Dunnill, Debbie Dunnill-Siswick, Jack Dunnill (Compo) and Krista Hewitt.

Krista said: “We feel as if we are about to lose our A&E and acute services at HRI and with talk about downgrading ambulance services at Honley, it leaves people in Holme Valley feeling very exposed.

“People are very concerned and fearful in the valley, particularly having to travel all the way to Calderdale Royal Infirmary.”

Sid’s Cafe is now the ‘command centre’ for #HandsOffHRI’s Holmfirth branch.

In February the cafe, run by Laura Booth, began collecting signatures for a petition against the Right Care Right Time Right Place plan.

Bill Owen (Compo) and Kathy Staff (Nora Batty) on the set of 'Last of the Summer Wine'. 27th May 1983.

Under the plan Huddersfield Royal Infirmary will be demolished and replaced with a smaller hospital. It will have an urgent care unit and but no emergency department.

Emergency care will be centralised at Calderdale Royal Hospital, Halifax.

For details on more #HandsOffHRI events visit: www.handsoffhri.org .