WHEN cyclist Thomas Hobbs reaches John O’Groats later this month he knows he will have made his late mum proud.

The Purton man’s stepmother Vanessa lost her life to cancer in February aged just 38.

Thomas, 24, is part way through a gruelling 1,000-mile bike ride from Land's End in Cornwall to John O’Groats, Britain’s most northerly point. He hopes to raise £3,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support and Prospect Hospice.

Thomas, a former Commonweal student, said: “I started planning this ride in the hope that she’d still be around to witness it, but sadly the terminal illness took her before she could.

“Prospect Hospice was so good and they continued to be good in providing end of life care for my mum and also family support for my brother and my father.

“They’ve been really fluent in their support.

"I can’t thank them enough, so I really want to reimburse them for their service.”

He said of mum Vanessa: “She was great.

"An absolute role model for me. She came into my life when I was 14 and I immediately adopted her as my mother in such a full way. She was a very important role model for me.

“She instilled a strong work ethic in me, the fact that I’d have to graft and reach out and grasp opportunities.”

Vanessa was initially diagnosed with bowel cancer three years ago, two years after her son Eli was born. The cancer spread to her lungs and brain.

Thomas said: “I’ll remember her as being one of my biggest influences. This ride is going to be a very introspective tour and way to understand all the things that have, as well as raising money for a good cause and try and make her proud.

“She would have been proud. I wish she was here to witness it.”

The graphic design graduate, who currently works at Create Studios, will spend 12 days on the top-of-the-range Swindon Cycles Giant bicycle. He plans to ride between 80 and 100 miles each day.

Thomas has had help from 85-year-old Denis Hedges in planning his mammoth cycle ride: “He last did the ride when he was 80 and did it in 11 days, so I feel a bit of pressure.”

Although an experienced cyclist, Thomas admits he could have done more training. “For three months I was working three days a week on an internship and four days at café Darkroom Espresso,” he said. “I didn’t have a day off in three months.”

He thanked Darkroom Espresso, Create and restaurant Fratello’s for their support.

To follow Thomas’s ride and donate, visit: www.facebook.com/ajourneyineffable.