An internationally-renowned guitarist will be cycling into Pickering next week to raise money in memory of a local man.

Richard Durrant is playing at the town’s Memorial Hall in aid of Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. It is in memory of Eric Jackson, from Thornton-le Dale, who died last year, aged 63.

His daughter, Chloe, said: “We’re thrilled that Richard agreed to include Pickering in his amazing tour.”“My family and I have been raising funds for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research after my father, Eric, died suddenly from a very rare form of blood cancer. He loved music and was spellbound by Richard’s concert in Pickering in 2012. I’ve seen Richard perform in Ryedale several times now and I know we can look forward to a fantastic evening of great music and humorous anecdotes.”

Eric’s widow, Jane, a librarian at Norton College, said: “The concert is important to us because we want to raise as much money as we can to support the incredible work being undertaken by Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research to stop more people dying of blood cancer.

“We are also grateful to all the shops and businesses in Pickering that have donated prizes for the raffle at the concert.”

The Sussex musician is playing 36 gigs across the country during a seven-week, 1,000-mile trip, cycling up to 50 miles a day.

Travelling by bike, Richard has described it as an opportunity for him to “pay back” the carbon footprint he has created travelling in excess of 35,000 miles each year.

Cycling up to 50 miles a day, Richard will be carrying his entire show on his bike. Each performance will still feature lighting, projections and sound, but the gear will be state-of-the-art, low-energy and lightweight. He will perform guitar music composed by the likes of Agustín Barrios and Bach and will also be showcasing his latest album, Cycling Music.

Speaking during a recent radio interview, Richard described the gig in Pickering, the most northerly location on the tour, as “rather poignant because the gig is to celebrate Eric’s life and raise money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research”.

Richard Durrant will be playingThe show will be at Pickering Memorial Hall on Friday, May 30 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £12 for adults and £10 concessions, from Pickering TIC, or phone 01751 473791.