A group of bikers are preparing for a ride to raise funds for a charity that looks after injured soldiers.

Michael Holt and his friends have organised a Route 59 Rideout through the Dales and Fells.

The 56-year-old from Church decided to organise the ride after taking part in a charity ride in America last year.

He said: “I rode Route 66 in the States last year and my friend talked me into taking a wounded soldier with me as part of Bike Rides for the Wounded. I had a lad with me on the back of my bike who was blind and others were travelling with guys who had lost limbs.

“The benefit that those lads got from being on the trip was unbelievable.

“So we decided to try and do our own, we did a bit of fundraising and did a route 59 ride last year.

“The guys from Bike Tours for the Wounded were really impressed with how we ran it they asked us to do it again.”

Michael said they were hoping to get more bikers involved this year and has visited a number of bike shows to raise interest in the ride.

Bike Rides for the Wounded is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company that provides direct and indirect support to both serving members and veterans of the UK’s armed forces.

The charity supports all services and all ranks of those who have served o whether they are wounded, injured or sick.

Michael added: “Last September we arranged a Route 59 ride out from the A59 McDonalds near Clitheroe over the Yorkshire Dales. We expected between 20 to 30 bikes but we easily beat this and we raised over £700.

“Due to the success the charity, Bike Tours for the Wounded asked if we could do a similar ride out this year.

“We have chosen September 6, leaving from the solicitors Backhouse Jones, who are helping with the sponsorship, near McDonald’s on the A59 again and completing a route of about 120 miles over the Dales and then back to KD Motorcycles in Accrington, who again are involved with the sponsorship.”

The cost of taking part in the ride is £15 per rider or pillion and includes a light snack en route and a burger and drink at the end.

For more information about the Route 59 ride please call Michael on 07990 585145 or Chris on 07831 419325.

To find out more about Bike Tours for the Wounded visit www.bt4tw.co.uk