A friend from school days and onwards, Peter Julian Clare,
died several years ago from Motor Neurone Disease, and the dignified way he faced up to it has made a lasting impression.

A team of friends from Burnley (me and my eldest lad) , Loveclough, Haworth, Manchester, Rochdale, a Geordie who has moved down South, and two of his mates, are cycling the 127 miles of the Leeds and Liverpool canal over two days to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease association in Central and East Lancs.

Me and Pete played football together for years, as kids and adults,
and I can only think of him as that cheeky kid that tormented opponents, but fortunately for him, none of them were good enough to catch him! I just know that if Pete is watching us, he will be hoping with all of his heart that one of us falls in.

I walk past his gravestone in Burnley Cemetery most days as I walk my dog and  I always talk to him and tell him how Burnley FC have fared. Hopefully from now on, I'll also be telling him of the remarkable generosity of people who want to help fight this terrible disease, and how we have raised a few bob in his memory.

If you are on Facebook and see this appeal, please share it to help us raise as much as possible.