NINE big-hearted guys hit the road to raise money for a worthy cause when they took part in a sponsored 60-mile ride from Manchester to Blackpool.

The pedal power gang undertook the sinew-straining task on behalf of the Owen Lowery Vehicle Trust, set up to buy a £20,000 specially-adapted minibus for Billinge-based former judo ace Owen, who was left paralysed after a freak accident during a bout.

And the riders - St Helens Council workers, Geoff Green, Paul Molyneux, Dave Carter, Brian Case, Martin McKee, Ken Eden and Dave Williams, plus Gary Smith from Nottingham (a friend of Paul Molyneux's) and water board employee, Paul Doughty - raised a grand total of £1,900.

Geoff Green had earlier raised £2,250 for the trust by staging his own one-man 'triathlon' comprising a five-mile run, a five-mile cycle to Parr Baths, followed by a 50-length swim at the baths.

The latest cheque was presented to Owen by the riders during a special evening at Billinge Chapel End Labour Club where the evening's entertainers, duo Aquarius, gave their time for free.

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