A BAND of motorcyclists has set off on their trip to the Highlands of Scotland in aid of St Michael's Hospice.

The Hospice Angels left for Erchless Castle in Beauly on Saturday and are now part way through a full week of fund-raising activities.

During the week they plan to attend quizzes and motorcycle ride-outs, while a fund-raising party is planned for the castle to mark the end of the adventure which will also raise money and awareness for the Highland Hospice in Inverness.

The Hospice Angels were formed in 2003 by biker Mike Pullin, and so far the group has raised more than £250,000 for the Bartestree-based hospice.

Ruth Dennison, head of fund-raising at the hospice, said: "We are so privileged to have the support of Mike and his fellow bikers.

"This event is a perfect example of how the Hospice Angels provide not only fund-raising support for St Michael’s but they also do much more by raising awareness of the services the hospice provides to the local community.

"The trip is an opportunity for St Michael’s and the Highland Hospice to work together to learn and gain experiences of hospice life at different ends of the country."

The hospice is the main provider of specialist palliative care in Herefordshire and supports more than 1,300 patients each year.

For more information or to sponsor the group, call Mike Pullin on 07454 155411 or call the hospice on 01432 851000.