KEEN cyclists in Worcestershire are being invited to pedal between Worcestershire Royal Hospital and the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch in aid of a campaign raising cash to buy a state-of-the-art surgical machine.

The sponsored bike ride in aid of the Rory the Robot campaign, which is working to raise £1.6 million for the new machine, on Saturday, September 20 will see cyclists take on all or part of a 34-mile route between the two hospitals and back again.

Participants will receive a high-visibility jacket and a certificate. Children aged 12 an up can take part, but under-16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Urology consultant and lead cancer clinician at Worcestershire Acute Hospital NHS Trust Adel Makar said the county was in danger of getting left behind with hospitals in Birmingham and Gloucester already having bought a machine.

“This surgery is already becoming available elsewhere in the country and we want to make it available in Redditch for all our Worcestershire patients,” he said.

“If everyone in Worcestershire donated just £5 each we would be able to buy the robot straight away. Please support us and help us save lives.”

The machine will be able to treat patients with prostate cancer through five small cuts rather than open surgery, meaning less blood loss, a lower risk of complications and a drop in recovery times from 12 weeks to between three and four.

To register to take part in the bike ride call 01905 760551 or email fundraising@worcsacute.nhs.uk.

To donate to the appeal call www.justgiving.com/rorytherobot or text RORY97 + £amount to 70070.