A CYCLIST is set to ride hundreds of miles to raise funds for a children’s cancer charity.

Andy Smith, from Padgate, will pedal a total of 616 miles from Cumbernauld to Bournemouth over the course of seven days - starting on Friday, September 21.

The 48-year-old is hoping to raise £2,500 for children and young people’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

He said: “I’ve been cycling for about six years, but the idea was hatched earlier this year.

“One of the guys in the office at work laid down the gauntlet and it felt like a bit of a busman’s holiday, and if you can raise a bit of money for charity on the way then it’s all the better.

“I started training back in April, but it has stepped up over the past couple of weeks.

“My legs are nearly ready, now we just need to raise as much money as possible for CLIC Sargent.”

Andy, a repair consultant at Howley-based Solus Accident Repair Centre, will be visiting 13 of the company’s sites across the UK en route.

He added: “I’ll be going from Cumbernauld to Carlisle on the Friday, which is around 100 miles, and then on the Saturday travelling to Preston.

“That night, I’ll be coming back to Warrington so a few work colleagues can join me on the Sunday for a shorter leg of about 40 miles.

“On the Monday, I’ll be travelling from Warrington to Coventry via Birmingham and on the Tuesday I’ll be cycling to Luton via Hitchin.

“Then on the Wednesday, I’ll be travelling through London down to Guildford and on the final day I will head to Bournemouth via Basingstoke.

“It’s really amazing what your body can achieve when you push it.”

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