A SPEEDWAY champion from Bradford will try his luck on a different kind of bike as he attempts to raise money in aid of a stricken former teammate.

Benji Compton will rely on pedal-power to travel 288 miles from Brighton to Salford, near Manchester, via London city centre - all in aid of his friend Ricky Ashworth.

Ricky, 31, was in a coma for 91 days after being brought back to life following a speedway crash in Scunthorpe in August 2013. Now he is cared for at his parents' home in Salford.

Benji, of Oakenshaw, who won the 2014 Elite League championship with Poole Pirates, said Ricky suffered brain damage as a result of the crash and struggles to do things like walking.

Now, the 28-year-old wants to raise £5,000 to go towards Ricky's treatment and support package.

"His dad has to care for him 24/7," said Benji. "For a young lad, it is the worst thing to have happened. It is horrible.

"It definitely hits home for me. But you never think it is going to happen to you - and Ricky went all his life thinking the same."

Benji added: "He is one of my oldest teammates. We have been friends and we have rode together. I have travelled to Slovenia, France and all over with Ricky.

"When it happened it was a shock. You go for a race, pack your bag, load the bikes up and think you're coming home. You never think anything will happen."

Despite his talent for riding a speedway bike, cycling is not something Benji has ever really taken to. But he wanted to do something different for his friend.

"What better than to do something completely out of the norm for me," said Benji. "So I decided on an almost-300-mile bike ride.

"I have never really done cycling, but I am fit enough and healthy enough so there is no reason why I cannot do it. I have been going to the gym doing spinning."

Benji is doing the challenge with three others and starting on Friday. They aim to arrive in Salford by Sunday.

If anyone wants to donate to the cause, Benji has set up a bank account at Barclays called RAshworth Cycle. The account number is 63532106, sort-code 20-11-88.

Benji, whose brother Andre used to ride for Bradford Dukes speedway team, also said speedway fans in Bradford might be interested in attending a benefit meeting for Ricky at Owlerton Stadium in Sheffield on March 22. It starts at 5pm and will feature some of the world's best riders competing in a number of races. It is a pay-on-the-door event.