MOTORCYCLE stars Carl Fogarty and Garth Woods will be guests at a special Bikers’ Day fundraiser and auction for three disabled Darwen children.

The fundraiser comes after Karen Lee, landlady of the Mill Gap pub in Bolton Road, appealed in the Lancashire Telegraph for local families needing help to contact her.

Three families came forward: one of a boy who has brain damage resulting from a traumatic birth, and two other children with autism.

Auction lots include genuine bike racing memora-bilia, and rare racing bikes will be on show to the public.

Karen, 38, said: “I’ve always wanted to help other people, and I’m in the position to bully people into helping out!

“I can use the pub to do something good, and having four kids of my own, I know what it’s like. I didn’t want to do it for a big charity. People feel that their donations get lost and never see where it ends up.

“Most of the money raised will go towards things for the little boy with brain damage because his needs are the greatest. But I will be trying to get money for things the others need such as light therapy equipment and pony lessons. I would help every child if I could.

“All my regulars have been fantastic. One who is a driving instructor has donated a full course of lessons and the price of a test as a prize, which is worth over £800.

“Someone else donated a projection machine worth £500 for the little boy.”

Frank Kay, who has helped organise the day, has roped in biking friends – former Superbike champion Fogarty and Manx Grand Prix rider Woods – who he has known since they were children.

They will appearing at the pub on the day to give their support to the families, and will bring with them auction lots and rare bikes for display.

One of the lots will be a signed shirt worn by Ducati rider Loris Capirossi.

The bikes include Garth Woods’s Yamaha 600cc and Honda 125cc, the 1955 250cc Manx Norton built by Ron Mead and the 1959 AJS 7R 350cc ridden by John Nutter in the Manx GP. The event starts at noon.