House of Cards author and House of Lords Member, Lord Michael Dobbs of Wylye, is visiting the island later this month to walk the coastal footpath - Raad ny Foillan - in memory of his father Eric, while raising funds for Hospice Isle of Man.

Shortly after publishing House of Cards, Lord Dobbs’ father Eric died in the Hospice on the Isle of Man.

Lord Dobbs said: ’The extraordinary carers there transformed his final weeks. He found peace, and suffered no pain. His last days were almost joyous.

’In order to thank the Hospice I’m planning to walk the coastal path of that beautiful island, then climb to Snaefell.

’The walk will cover 130 miles, over six days, and since I’ll be hitting 70 later this year and more used to sitting on my backside in the House of Lords, it’s a real challenge. But what is life without a few blisters?

’I've called it Walk4Eric but it’s really for those people who the Hospice still cares for. I want them, and their families, to be helped in the way my father was.’

Lord Dobbs’ Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/fundraising/walk4eric.

Lord Dobbs will also be speaking at Hospice’s ’A Royal Get Together’ event on Saturday, May 19, at Woodbourne House. Tickets are available at www.hospice.org.im