THE vice-chairman of St Richard's Hospice is getting into top gear ready to cycle from Land's End to John O'Groats to raise money for the charity appeal.

Consultant professor Richard Lewis will be making the 1,000 mile trek in memory of a family friend, and much-loved local district nurse Desi Green, who died of cancer last year.

Desi herself was a great adventurer whose expeditions included high altitude ice climbing in the French and Italian Alps, an assent of the volcano Mount St Helen's in the Pacific North West and Mount Kilimanjaro in Central Africa as well as trekking the Great Wall of China and the Himalayas in Nepal.

Her adventures raised thousands for St Richard's Hospice and Cancer Research over the years.

Desi's husband John will be the road manager for the cycle trip.

Mr Lewis said: "Desi was a great inspiration to many people and my memories of her will no doubt keep me pushing on, even if the going gets tough.

"I'm hoping that lots of people will sponsor my efforts and together will reach £10 per mile taking it to £10,000 in total."

The chest specialist will be joined by four others and expects the trip to take up to a fortnight.

He hopes his regular commute of about 125 miles by bicycle each week to work at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, will ensure he is in shape for the marathon ride.

Mr Lewis added: "I think the biggest challenge of this trip will be the traffic, as not every busy road can be avoided.

"We should arrive in John O'Groats on the 20th anniversary of my first day in Worcester as a consultant. During that time I have had the privilege of seeing the hospice grow from extremely humble beginnings to the current exciting stage where we will open our new £5.25m over-night bedded unit in the autumn.

"I hope to raise around £10,000 towards the increased running costs of the new hospice."

Anyone who would like to sponsor Richard can visit www.justgiving.com/richard_lewis or contact St Richard's Hospice on 01905 763963.