THE parents of a teenager who died while crossing the East Lancs Road are to cycle from Bristol to Liverpool in aid of an organisation which supports bereaved families.

George Faulkner, from Rainford, passed away aged 17 in October 2008 when he was in collision with a car.

This month, during the week of what would have been their son's 25th birthday, parents Sue and John are to take on the 278-mile trek over the course of a week to raise awareness for The Compassionate Friends.

Sue runs a support group for bereaved parents on behalf of the organisation at The Derby Arms, Rainford.

There are nine parents signed up to take part in the cycle, some bereaved, which will start on Saturday, May 21 at Bristol Cathedral and will aim to finish on May 28 at the Liver Buildings.

"George is always in my thoughts, birthdays and anniversaries are the slightly more difficult days because other people tend to think of him then," said Sue, ahead of the cycle.

"We want as many people to remember him as possible, every day is without him, not just the birthdays and anniversaries.

"However his 25th will mark a milestone – so hard not knowing what he would be doing, whether he would be married, or have any children as many of his friends have, what he would look like, where he would be working and living."

Sue, a podiatrist who has clinics in Rainford and Sutton, added: "Since I’ve been running the support group I’ve realised exactly how much help we give to parents living with the shock of losing a child.

"We are one of the few support groups who only offer advice from other parents who are unfortunate enough to have suffered such a loss themselves - we believe that it is only then that the true impact can be understood."

Sue admits she isn't an experienced cyclist but will be determined to compete the week-long challenge.

"I am not a regular cyclist, I only took it up last February when John bought me a bike for my birthday," she added.

"I can't say I am a natural – I don't like hills or roads which is why this route seemed attractive – fairly flat and no traffic!

"We’ve been out for a bit of training and it's affected my hands more than anything from the rough terrain on the canal sides causing vibration.

"I also went for my first Spin class at the gym last week – nothing like leaving it till the last minute!"

Visit justgiving.com/watercogs4george to donate to their efforts and see tcf.org for more information on The Compassionate Friends.