THE life of a much-loved husband, friend and brother-in-law will be celebrated at this year’s Great Willy Run.

The annual motorcycle ride that aims to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer research will be especially poignant this year.

Event organiser Alan Rothery, of Buttermere Drive in Dalton, lost his brother-in-law, Roy Little, 70, of Workington to cancer five weeks ago.

Now, all Mr Rothery wants is to get as many people as he can to join the ride, and raise as much awareness as possible.

He said: “Roy was more like a brother to me than a brother-in-law. We just want as many bums on bikes as possible.”

Roy’s widow, Eileen Little, spoke about how her husband never wanted to give up throughout his illness.

She said: Everything thrown at him he fought. He said to me ‘I won’t let this beat me.’”

Mr Little was a well known figure in his community, working as a case worker for the Royal British Legion after coming out of the King’s Own Border Regiment, where he served in Norther Ireland during the troubles.

Mrs Little said: He used to do a lot of good for a lot of people. He helped a lot of veterans young and old.”

For Mr Rothery, this ride will be harder than the previous 11 he has ridden.

He said: "It's still raw. Roy was more than a brother-in-law, he was more like a real brother."

Mr Rothery, who worked for 21 years at Furness General Hospital in urology decided to set up the charity ride after seeing what men went through on his ward.

"It was seeing people suffer and die that made me want to do something.

"People need to be aware of the risks when you are over 50."

Cancer Research UK have said in Cumbria 470 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year, 100 dying because of the disease.

This year the ride will cover over 200 miles through some of the most scenic Lake District countryside.

Bikers will pass through St Bees, Penrith, Hartside and Kendal before returning to Barrow.

Members of the community have rallied behind the charity, offering time and support for the cause.

The Millom Bike club will be marshalling the ride, Stollers Furniture world are providing the start and finish point, and Barclays Bank have pledge to match pound-for-pound the money raised this year.

Almost £2,000 has been raised already, but there are still collecting tins around Barrow and Dalton, and bikers can still enter the ride for just £5.

Mr Rothery said: "Bikers are a family, they all support each other.

"In the past we've had almost one hundred riders, hopefully we can get that this year.”

The charity riders will assemble at Stollers Furniture World, Barrow, on Sunday July 3 at 9am, and leave at 9.30am.

For information on the Great Willy Ride search ‘Alan Rothery’ on Facebook.

See the route that Mr Rothery and the other bikers will take <iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1y37u0V-yLmmBowXhskW1EBFjRwQ" width="640" height="480"></iframe>

To find out more about prostate cancer go to prostatecanceruk.org