A FAMILY from York are cycling more than 400 miles to Cork in Ireland in just six days to raise money for York Against Cancer.

Brendan Walsh, 28, an IT salesman from Acomb, and his brothers, Daniel, 29 and Michael,22, are just three of a team of 20 family and friends – 16 riders and four support crew – who are setting off for the emerald isle on June 20.

They are doing the ride for York Against Cancer in memory of Brendan’s uncle, Dr John Finbarr Walsh, who died of cancer in March 2009.

Originally from York, John was the second son of Dr Jim Walsh and his wife Joan. Dr Jim Walsh is formerly of the Priory Medical Group, Heworth Green, and John’s brother Dr David Walsh is currently in the same practice at Cherry Street, Clementhorpe.

Brendan said: “John was revered by all who knew him both personally and professionally during his career as an anaesthetist.

“His work took him to Cork where he and his wife, Anne brought up their three children; Sarah, Abigail and David. John certainly enjoyed a good bike ride, hence the decision to complete what we believe to be a fitting tribute to this greatly missed, much-loved man.”

The route the group will take will see them cross England and travel through North Wales to Holyhead where they’ll board a ferry to Dun Laoghaire and from there on to Cork.

Brendan said the team hoped to raise about £3,000 and they have all been in training ahead of the trek.

He said: “I’ve never done anything like this before, but I have been cycling a lot in the run-up to it. I cycled 60 miles the other weekend and the idea is to do as much as we can in the run-up.

“We are also being given T-shirts to wear on the day by John Harford at York firm Mosaic Print Management Ltd so we’d really like to thank him for that.”

Anyone wanting to sponsor Brendan and the team can log on to www.justgiving.com/teams/york-to-cork