STAFF from Teme Leisure are practising what they preach by taking part in the Coast to Coast in a Day challenge.

The team of ten from Teme Ludlow and satellite centres Church Stretton and Cleobury Mortimer have been training for months for the 150-mile road ride which begins in the Western Lake District and finishes by the sea in Whitby.

“It will be tough completing the challenge in a day, but we are prepared,” said Lee Hassan, general manager at the leisure centre in Ludlow.

Money will be raised for an appeal by Lingen Davies Cancer Fund, in Shrewsbury, to buy specialist equipment.

The choice of charity is particularly poignant to Mr Hassan and another member of the group, Lydia Morgan, as they both had loved ones receive treatment at the cancer unit. Mr Hassan’s mother passed away last August after a brave battle against a brain tumour.

“You could say the charity is close to my heart,” added Lee Hassan.

“Mum underwent treatment there, I’ve no doubt this gave her more time, which was precious to us as a family as it meant we were able to tick things off her bucket list.”

The charity has pledged to raise £750,000 by the end of 2016 to help fund an additional Linear Accelerator (LINAC) for the Cancer and Haematology at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

A LINAC is a machine that delivers radiotherapy treatment to cancer patients. The department already has two machines, but a third is desperately needed so that waiting times for treatment do not increase.

Joining Lee Hassan for the challenge that starts on Saturday (June 25) are Andrew ‘Stewy’ Stewardson, Lydia Morgan, Christian South, Ben Barnfield, Nick Morris (duty manager), Ashley Wells, Shelley Townsend, Steve Adams, and Ben Dowbiggin.