An East Lancashire pub has launched a challenge to raise £6,000 and walk 2,500 miles in aid of a two-year-old girl with a rare form of eye cancer. 

The challenge was launched after Daisy Regan, whose parents got married at The Alma Inn in Laneshaw Bridge, was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare eye cancer.

The team at the historic pub, which is part of the Seafood Pub Company, have launched the Daisy’s Doddle series of walks, which will raise money for four children’s cancer charities; Candlelighters, Young Lives Vs Cancer, Derian House Children’s Hospice and Childhood Eye Cancer Trust.

The Alma Inn has been holding regular pub walks for almost twelve months now, and has decided that for the next twelve months, the walks will be known as Daisy’s Doddle, and will aim to raise vital funds for the charities.

Daisy is the niece of walk leader Paul White, and was diagnosed with the rare eye cancer, which led to her having her eye removed and chemotherapy, in August last year, at just a year old.

She has recently been given the all clear, and Paul’s sister who is Daisy’s mum, Nicola Regan, explained how vital the support they’d received was.

Nicola said: "It’s just not something you ever expect, to be told that your baby has got cancer, and it was really devastating for us.

"The support that we received from some incredible charities really changed our lives and made it that little bit more bearable.

"It’s so lovely that the The Alma, which has been such a special place for us, is raising money to support these incredible charities."

The pub’s group’s managing director, Joycelyn Neve, said: “It’s been great to be able to put on this really popular community event once a month, but we wanted to push ourselves and to do something really meaningful."

Paul, who leads the walks, said: “We’re combining two things, raising money, and the stunning scenery right on the doorstep of The Alma.

"I think the area around here, in the east of Colne, really is one of Lancashire’s best kept secrets.

"Our walks focus on natural beauty, culture and history, and have so far taken in the literary Brontes, historic Heyroyd House, the breath-taking views of Boulsworth and the infamous Barnside Murder."

Signing up for the walks costs £10, which includes a t-shirt, and your first walk.

Subsequent walks are a £5 donation and include complimentary bacon sandwiches and coffee before the walk sets off.

The walks take place on the first Sunday of the month and people can find the next walk, sign up, or donate to the cause, at www.thealmainn.com by clicking the Daisy’s Doddle link.