BURY Cycle Speedway Club’s annual sponsored bike ride took on a special poignancy.

The event, held on Good Friday, honoured two special women at the centre of the club’s activities over its 35-year history.

Eight-year-old Sinead O’Sullivan, granddaughter of the club secretary Tony Mann, led the party off from Goshen Sports Centre on the ride for her “nanny” Beryl Mann, who died last August.

Club chairman Stuart Howarth, son and team captain Neil, were in the group for young mum Jenny Howarth, who suffered a stroke shortly after Lucy was born before Christmas.

Around 20 members, family and friends of Bury Cycle Speedway Club assembled for the ride which involved a 15-mile route along a canal towpath and disused railway line to Philips Park in Whitefield, and back to Goshen.

Tony Mann, aged 74, undertook a token ride of around four miles while the main group included 65-year-olds Stuart Howarth, club coach John Burston, regular veteran rider Fred Rothwell and, at the other end of the age scale, nine-year-old Adam Turnbull.

After the group had set off on the long cycle, Sinead O’Sullivan rode 130 laps on the cycle speedway track equalling 5.88 miles.

The beneficiaries of the event were Fairfield Hospital’s Stroke Unit, in honour of Jenny, and The British Heart Foundation, in memory of Beryl.