A COUNCIL boss is cycling between two landmarks to raise awareness of an illness which forced a colleague into early retirement.

Blackburn One Stop manager Brian Wallace will pedal the 60 miles between Old Trafford to Blackpool Tower on Sunday after learning that long-time co-worker Janice Ainsworth had been struck down by motor neurone disease.

Janice, 59, who worked with Brian in customer services at the council for 22 years, retired when she was diagnosed in October after noticing weakness in her right hand and difficulties in straightening her little finger.

There is no known cure for the degenerative disease which affects around 5,000 people in the UK at any one time.

It destroys the nerves in the brain and spinal cord and affects people at different rates, leading to problems with mobility, speech, swallowing and breathing. Sufferers have an average life expectancy of three to five years.

Janice, who lives in Berkshire Close, Wilpshire, is now making the most of her time at home with husband Stuart and two teenage daughters.

She said: “It totally came out of the blue because I only went to the doctor with a minor complaint so it was obviously a devastating shock but now I’m just taking one day at a time.

“I have difficulties in moving my right arm and am taking medication but that will only delay symptoms for a few months.

“I really appreciate Brian’s efforts in raising the profile of motor neurone disease because every little more attention that can be drawn to it the better because people need to realise what a grim disease it is.

“Offering to do something as soon as I was diagnosed was really touching of him and he’s been a great motivational support.”

Brian has been clocking up to 120 miles a week ahead of the ride.

He said: “Janice was a fantastic worker who improved the lives of those she worked with and I was incredibly upset to hear that she was ill so I decided to do all I can to raise some money to help research efforts.

“Hopefully, if awareness of this condition increases, it will only add to the drive to find a cure as soon as possible.”

To donate money to the Motor Neurone Disease Association, go to www.justgiving.com/Janice-Ainsworth, pick up a sponsorship form from the Town Hall reception or text JANC60 (the amount in £s) to 70070.

More information about the disease can be found at www.mnd association.org/.