JASON Bowie, 46, of Wellington, begins a cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats for charity tomorrow (Monday).

He is planning to cycle an average of 70 miles a day over 11 days – for a total of 874 miles.

Jason is taking on the adventure to raise funds for a charity close to his heart, the ME Association.

Family friend Claire Ayshford-Smy is living with the debilitating effects of ME andhas been an inspiration to many people during lockdown, devising quizzes and hosting them via Zoom every week.

The quizzes, which have a different theme and fancy dress option each week, have raised nearly £3,000 for the charity.

The ride is Jason’s way of thanking Claire for her efforts and hopefully adding to those funds.

ME is a swelling of the brain and spinal cord, a serious neurological condition for which there is no treatment and no cure.

Around a quarter of a million people in the UK are known sufferers of ME and, of those, about 25 per cent, are bed-bound. It is believed ME is often triggered by a viral infection and it has been found that ME can also be caused by Covid-19 resulting in what has become known as Long Covid.

Jason is looking forward to taking on this adventure and will be drawing on his experience as a scout leader to survive the challenge.

To support Jason’s efforts, make a donation at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jason-bowie