AN ILKLEY man is preparing to take part in the Skipton Triathlon in memory of his late mum.

Andy Phillips is hoping to raise lots of money for the Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice, where his mum Yvette Phillips sadly passed away in November 2018.

The triathlon is on April 14 and attracts hundreds of triathletes from novice to experts. For the first time the event has partnered Manorlands Hospice to raise funds for local people with life-limiting conditions. Participants have several options on how to support Manorlands:they can donate to the charity online at the entry stage; they can request a fundraising pack and get sponsored; or they can take up one of the free places for the hospice in exchange for a donation to the hospice or for raising sponsorship.

Andy is hoping to raise money through sponsorship. He experienced first-hand what a difference the specialist care she received at the Oxenhope hospice made to both his mum and to his family.

He said: “When my mum got really ill and was in hospital she was wanting to give up and looked a day or so away from death.

“When she came up to Manorlands she perked up no end, started to smile again and I even brought my two young daughters to see her one last time, which I definitely wouldn’t have done in the hospital.

“The place gives such good end of life care that it needs, and deserves, the funding to keep it the place it is.”

Andy enjoys keeping fit but has never taken part in a triathlon before. He is hoping to complete both the Skipton and Ilkley triathlon as well as the Ilkley Half Marathon all for charity in 2019.

Molly Ralphson, community fundraiser at Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice said: “We are delighted to be the partner charity for Craven District Council’s sports events this year. We do still have some free places for anyone wanting to give either the triathlon or Le Petit Depart a go. Your efforts will be well worth it as you will be directly helping towards providing more care for more people in our local area.”

To enquire about the free places call Molly on 01535 640441