A HUSBAND and wife team are proving they are a close-knit team as they hop on a tandem bicycle to support a Chester hospice.

Anna Manning and her husband Howard Jennings, from Saughall, are taking on the Liverpool Nightrider in a bid to raise money for the Hospice of the Good Shepherd based in Backford.

The challenge on the weekend of July 14-15 will see the couple cycle 100km around Liverpool and The Wirral taking in all the iconic city centre landmarks at night.

Anna, 48, wanted to raise money for the hospice as both of her parents received considerable support from hospices at the end of their lives.

It is the nearest hospice to the couple and by supporting the charity they said they feel they’re supporting a cause that will benefit everyone in the community.

Anna said she and Howard, 60, would be pedalling equally hard during their journey.

“There’s a misconception that the person at the back, who is called a stoker, can put their feet up and not do very much,” she said. “But the front and the back pedals are connected by one chain so you both make the same effort.

“We’re really looking forward to completing Nightrider as I am also visually impaired, so this adds an extra challenge to the event. We’ve done the right amount of training so hopefully we’ll cope with the challenge.”

To sponsor Anna and Howard donate at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/annahowardtandem or text ‘donate DEFG50’ to 70070 followed by either £1, £2, £3, £4, £5, or £10.

In addition, Anna and Howard are looking for any small businesses wishing to advertise on their t-shirts. To help, email anna@ammauthorship.com

Hospice of the Good Shepherd is an independent charity providing end of life care and support for patients, their families and carers living with cancer and other life limiting illnesses in Chester, West Cheshire, Ellesmere Port and Deeside.