Casualty team go up hill and down dale in memory of colleague

The 38-mile event, on September 25, will take in some of the Yorkshire Dales' most spectacular scenery, is being organised to raise funds for the A&E Charitable Trust Fund.

The fund was set up in memory of charge nurse and father-of-two, Steve Jones, of Guiseley, who died suddenly in 2008 at the age of 37.

The organiser, A&E sister Louise Croxall, said: "We are always looking for new ways to fund-raise for Steve.

"The sponsored cycle is open to all staff and members of the public who would like to raise money and take part in this fun and demanding event.

"It was Steve's dream to see patient assessment machines installed in all A&E cubicles and we are working hard to raise the money needed to make this a reality.

The sponsored cycle, which will start and end in Otley, will pass through Ilkley en route into the Dales with a lunch-stop at Bolton Abbey. The event will take in Appletreewick, Greenhow and Thurcross reservoir, before returning to Otley via Blubberhouses, Denton Moor and Fewston Reservoirs.

There is a 5 entrance fee and the organisers hope participants will raise even more money through sponsorship.

Steve died in July 2008 after being rushed into the department where he worked, suffering from chest pains from a fatal heart problem.

His widow, Julie, a palliative care nurse, said: "For Steve's family – and especially our children, Sam, 14, and Ellen, 10 – fundraising events like these are so important in helping to keep Steve's memory alive.

"The A&E staff at Bradford Royal Infirmary are amazing in the amount of fundraising that they have done and continue to do in Steve's name, and we, as a family, are extremely grateful."

In the run-up to Christmas, staff raised more than 3,000 by posing for a tongue-in-cheek calendar in memory of Steve.

The calendar was shot on the set of ITV's The Royal, at St Luke's Hospital in Bradford during the summer and features doctors and nurses dressed in costume from the drama.

Anyone interested in taking part in the sponsored cycle should contact Debbie Miller or Lucy Hosking on 01274 382119.