Kevin Davis, 44, will set off on the 210-mile journey from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood's Bay in North Yorkshire on Monday, with his friends David Taylor and Shaun Wood.

The Darley Dale trio aims to raise £5,000 for the Weston Park Hospital Cancer Appeal in Sheffield, after Kevin's dad Michael received excellent care from hospital staff up until his death.

Kevin, who works at Pinelog in Bakewell, said: "My dad died in July, after first getting wind of having the disease 12 months ago.

"When he found out we were doing this he was just really proud. I wish he was here to see us today."

Weston Park staff had helped Michael, from Bakewell, remain in his home for as much of his treatment as possible.

Kevin was grateful to all the people who had helped his dad and hoped the bike ride would give something back to them.

He said: "They had been really good with him. It was just everything people did – everyone's been so good to us.

"Obviously my father was dying and all the help they'd given him at home was great too.

"You don't always appreciate it until you go through it yourself," he added.

Kevin, David and Shaun have collected over £1,600 for the cancer appeal so far.

They have been lent a hand-held camera and plan to make a video diary of the four-day trip.

This will appear on their fundraising website after the epic ride.

Enterprise Car Hire in Chesterfield have lent the men a van to transport them to St Bees.

To sponsor the trio's trip and to visit the website, click here