MANAGING director Brett Farmery is hopping on the saddle to cycle almost 200 miles in a day from Plymouth to Oxford to raise thousands of pounds for two charities.

The father-of-two, who turns 41 next week and works at Cole Easdon Consultants in Dorcan Way, did a similar challenge five years ago when he cycled 90 miles from Oxford to Cambridge. He raised £1,100 for the British Heart Foundation.

And after contemplating what his next challenge could be to raise more money for the BHF and Cancer Research UK, he settled on the testing 190 mile feat which he will take on next week.

“The two charities are close to my family's heart,” said Brett, who lives in Abingdon.

“I lost my dad Ken when I was 18 years old due to heart disease. He was in his 50s. My mother-in-law thankfully won a battle with breast cancer a few years ago, and has recently been given the all-important ‘all-clear,’ only for my dear uncle to now be fighting his own battle with cancer.

“Heart conditions and cancer seem to affect us all.”

Brett will set off at 4am from his mum Carole’s house in Plymouth on Sunday, May 29 and aims to finish the 18 hour journey at Oxford Rail Station before midnight.

The route takes him over Dartmoor, before heading across the Somerset Levels, through Wiltshire and into Swindon, before the final leg to Oxford.

His wife Sue and children Carina, 12, and Hallam, eight, will be tracking his route and following him in a support car, where they will meet him at various intervals every 50 miles to give him food and water.

His friends Hayley Reynolds and Jon Beck will also be joining him on different parts of the route, cycling 30 and 40 miles each.

Brett, who is hoping to raise £2,000, added: “I’ve been cycling 250 miles a month since the winter to keep the levels of fitness up and I did up to 150 miles in one go in a practise run.

“I’m looking forward to it but I am wondering what I have got myself into.

“We have had pretty dire weather recently, so fingers crossed it is dry. I don’t care about the sun I just want it to be dry.”

After conquering the challenge Brett plans to celebrate and relax.

Swindon-based civil engineering consultants Cole Easdon provides a number of specialist consultancy services, and sponsored Brett’s ride, together with clients, friends and family. Brett also leads the transport planning division.

To donate go to: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/PlymouthOxfordChallenge