TWO sisters are saddling up to tackle a gruelling 250-mile fundraising London to Manchester tandem ride in memory of their father.

Michelle Mackin and Anita Clark will be raising money for the British Lung Foundation after their dad Harry Mackin, who lived in Whitefield, died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on Christmas Day last year.

The sisters will climax their marathon bike ride by arriving at the Same Yet Inn in Simister to coincide with a family fun day which they have organising for the same cause.

Anita, who lives in Prestwich, and Michelle, who resides in Unsworth, will undertake their fundraising tandem ride from Wembley next Wednesday (June 10) and are expected to arrive in Simister on Sunday June 14.

Michelle said: "Our dad was a wonderful, lovely and giving husband, father, grandfather and friend. The last 12 months of our dad's life took its toll but as a family we did everything we could. But this wouldn't have been possible without the support of the COPD team and his COPD nurse Tina Ward.

"Rather than focus on our grief, we want to celebrate his life and honour his memory by raising as much money as we can for the British Lung Foundation and Breath Easy, a support group for people with COPD which is based in Bury."

Looking ahead to the tandem ride, Michelle added: "We are not fit by any means and before March we would get out of breath going up the stairs. But we aim to finish on Sunday June 14."

Together with Anita, they will aim to complete their marathon fundraiser at the Same Yet Inn during the family fun day. Attractions include an auction, raffle prizes, tombola, a rodeo bull, inflatable slide and inflatable disco dome and face painting.

Members of the public are invited to attend, and so far, Anita and Michelle have already raised more than £1,300 towards the British Lung Foundation thanks to sponsorship and donations.