A FORMER groundsman for Cherries is hoping to raise £10,000 for charity as he attempts to travel from Bournemouth Pier to Boscombe Pier and back.

Andy Press was working as a groundsman for Cherries when he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of motor neurone disease, a rare condition that causes the nervous system to deteriorate.

Now aged 58, Andy is hoping to give something back to the Lindsay Bupa Care Home in Branksome by raising £10,000 for Macmillan Caring Locally, the charity that supports the care home.

Andy recently visited Cherries’ first team at their training facilities at Kings Park.

With the backing of Cherries’ first team and organised by the Lindsay, Andy will cover three miles in his electric wheelchair alongside his friends and family.

Cherries supporters and local community members are encouraged to join Andy at Bournemouth Pier approach at 1:30pm on Sunday, June 4, with the group walking to Boscombe Pier and then returning back to Bournemouth Pier.

At Bournemouth Pier approach there will be entertainment and refreshments, including a bake sale.

Andy commented: “I am really looking forward to it.

“My aim is to create a legacy for my life and, in the process, raise as much as I possibly can for Macmillan Caring Locally - which has provided such amazing care to me and many others in the area.

“Please come along and support me or simply donate here to help raise funds for this invaluable charity. 

“By donating, you will be helping ‘The Mac Unit’ to continue providing support to people with many types of cancers as well as those with MND.”

“You will also be helping me to celebrate life and live every day to the fullest!”

Claudia Carvell, Home Manager at the Lindsay, added: “We are really looking forward to supporting Andy on his walk this weekend.

"We are hoping as many people as possible will head down to the pier and join in and we can raise as much money as possible for the Mac unit.

"Andy is an incredible person and spearheading this challenge is a testament to his passion and drive."

If you would like to join Andy, please head to the marquee on Bournemouth Pier Approach at 1.30pm on Sunday, with the walk starting at 2pm. You can donate to Andy’s challenge by following this link: https://www.justgiving.com/page/andy-press-pier-to-pier-challenge