STAFF at Bradford Royal Infirmary’s accident and emergency department are organising a sponsored cycle in memory of a former colleague.

The 38-mile event, which takes place on September 25 and will take in some of the Yorkshire Dales’ most spectacular scenery, is being organised to raise funds for the A&E Charitable Trust Fund.

The Fund was set up in memory of charge nurse and father-of-two, Steve Jones, of Guiseley, who died suddenly in 2008 at the age of 37.

Organiser, A&E sister, Louise Croxall, said: “We are always looking for new ways to fundraise for Steve and we came up with the idea as a way to get fit and do something that we haven’t previously done through our fundraising.

“The sponsored cycle is open to all staff and members of the public who would like to raise money and take part in this fun and demanding event.

“It was Steve’s dream to see patient assessment machines installed in all A&E cubicles and we are working hard to fundraise the money needed to make this a reality.

The sponsored cycle, which will start and end in Otley, will pass through Ilkley en route into the Dales with a lunch-stop at Bolton Abbey. The event will take in Appletreewick, Greenhow and Thurcross Reservoir, before returning to Otley via Blubberhouses, Denton Moor and Fewston Reservoirs.

There is a £5 entrance fee and the organisers hope participants will raise even more money through sponsorship.

Mr Jones died in July 2008 after being rushed into the department where he worked, suffering from chest pains from a fatal heart problem.

Mr Jones’s widow, Julie, a palliative care nurse, said: “For Steve’s family – and especially our children, Sam, 14, and Ellen, ten – fundraising events like these are so important in helping to keep Steve’s memory alive.

“The A&E staff at Bradford Royal Infirmary are amazing in the amount of fundraising that they have done and continue to do in Steve’s name, and we as a family are extremely grateful.”

In the run-up to Christmas, staff raised more than £3,000 by posing for a tongue-in-cheek calendar in memory of Steve.

The calendar was shot on the set of ITV’s The Royal at St Luke’s Hospital in Bradford during the summer and features doctors and nurses dressed in costume from the drama.

Anyone interested in taking part in the sponsored cycle should contact Debbie Miller or Lucy Hosking on (01274) 382119.