A BEREAVED father has spoken about the importance of helping others across the community as he prepares to support this weekend's Tour de Furness.
Peter Rodell, 62, lost his daughter Vanessa Truman six months ago after she was diagnosed with cancer of the liver, lungs and adrenal glands in 2015.
Now the Rotary member and former parish councillor hopes to encourage people to support local charities and hospices, like the ones which helped his daughter, through taking part in the annual cycling event.
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He said: "I lost my daughter six months ago and it's been hard to cope, but it gives me focus doing this because I know it will help others.
"My main concern is to raise money for hospices because the staff in those environments are amazing and they provided such great care for my daughter and we laughed a lot.
"They look at you like a person, not just the illness."
While Mr Rodell, from Leece, is not riding in this year's event, he will be on hand all day providing assistance and support to riders.
Mr Rodell has long-standing ties to the rotary club as his mother and father were both heavily involved in the charitable organisation.
He said: "The Rodell mottos are 'do something good for someone you don't know every day, and 'if you do it, do it well'.
"That's what the Rotary does - it does nice things for people all the time and that's the whole point."
The Tour de Furness has been a popular sporting event across south Cumbria since its inception in 1996 and has raised a total of £337,476.
Entries are still open for Sunday's race but close tomorrow (September 7).
Mr Rodell added: "We don't have a fundraising target but we want to make as much as we can.
"If you think you might want to do something to raise money for someone you lost, then the Tour de Furness is there as a vehicle for people to do that.
"It isn't the only event but it's local and it's a beautiful ride. You can have a good cycle and a good time, knowing you will be safe."
The event will raise money for St Mary’s Hospice and for BayB’s Appeal - raising funds for the new maternity unit at Furness General Hospital.
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