CYCLING 1,400 miles is no easy feat but one keen biker is getting back in the saddle for a very special reason.

Ashley Buttle, from Middleleaze will put the pedal to the metal for a solo charity ride from Swindon to Berlin, in honour of his disabled mother.

On May 4, the 28-year-old will take his trusty Koga Miyata Full Pro Oval on the1,400 mile round-trip in aid of Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford.

Ashley’s mother Carol has multiple conditions including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which affects connective tissue around the body, and Ménière's disease which can cause hearing loss, tinnitus and severe pressure within the inner ear.

“Since I was a young child I have seen my mum going in and out of hospital and she has had to have quite frequent operations to repair her joints as they fail," he said.

“Nuffield have really supported her for as long as I can remember. They were the first choice when it came to raising money as I want to give something back.

“I’m very close to my mum and she is very proud of me.

"She always says that if she didn’t have the conditions she would be doing this for Nuffield.”

He is also supported by dad Kevin and sisters Jemma and Carly.

Ashley’s European cycle will begin with a 24-hour cycle to London then Harwich, Essex. From there he will catch a ferry to the Hook of Holland before cycling to Leer and Kiel, Germany and arriving in Herzbergerstrasse, Berlin.

Ashley hopes to pedal his way to fundraising success in just one month and raise £1 for every mile he cycles.

“I cycled as a kid but only really got back into it two and half years ago when I was living in London and needed something to get around," he said.

"It’s just a really great form of transport."

The photography graduate, who has already completed a 24-hour ride from London to Paris, said he is feeling nervous but ready to face the challenge.

“I’ve done cycle rides before up to 300 miles, but this will be a new challenge. My biggest fear is probably the bike breaking but I’m hoping that everything goes smoothly,” he said.

Town business @TheHub has agreed to service his bike free of charge.

Ashley has been clocking up hundreds of training miles around Marlborough, Royal Wootton Bassett and Broad Town in preparation.

He said his main motivation besides fundraising is ensuring the spotlight falls on rare medical conditions.

“Not many people know about these illnesses or about the great work Nuffield do, so this is my way of highlighting the amazing work they do for my mum and so many other people,” he said.

To donate to Ashley’s ride visit justgiving.com/swindonberlin