A man is gearing up to take part in a 1,400 mile cycle challenge from London to Rome for the children’s hospital where his friend’s son was treated for cancer.

Steve Felton from Cranham is set to cycle from London to Rome starting on Sunday July 31 in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.

Steve said: “I have never done anything like this before so I am a little apprehensive but I think it is worth it because the work that the hospital do is just brilliant.”

Steve, 53 will be joined on the challenge with his friend Anibal Maseda where their journey will start from London via Canterbury to the port of Dover before crossing over to Calais.

The journey is expected to last for 21 days and it will also see the pair riding across the north of France towards Switzerland, then northern Italy before heading across to the Tuscany region and to Rome.

Steve said: “The cycle ride is going to be lots of hard work but they need to raise a lot of money so that the work they do can continue.”

Seven years ago, Anibal’s son who is now aged 14 was diagnosed with Leukemia and after receiving treatment at the hospital, he is now in remission.

Steve has also been spending the last seven months training full time for the cycle challenge after he was made redundant from his job as operational manager last November.

The pair have already raised �6,000 and are aiming to bring their total value up to �15,000.

He said: “I have always wanted to do this but I feel that I have never had the time to dedicate to the training, but I now have more time on my hands.

“We are hopeful that we are going to raise a lot more but even if it is �5 it will still help.”

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/steve-felton