A Wellington man, whose mum is suffering from cancer, is embarking on a marathon cycle challenge to raise funds for a charity which supports sufferers of the disease.

Chris Church is registered manager of Wellington House, a care home in Longforth Road specialising in dementia care.

Two years ago, his mum Marion – a cook at the home – was diagnosed with cancer and is continuing to receive treatment through the Beacon Centre at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton.

Now Chris and his best friend Wayne Hines are planning to cycle from John o’ Groats to Land’s End to boost funds for the Hope for Tomorrow charity.

It works to bring cancer care closer to patients’ homes via Mobile Cancer Care Units (MCCUs).

Chris said: “Watching someone you care about go through cancer treatment, when there is nothing you can do about it, is one of the hardest things in the world. Hope for Tomorrow provides vital cancer care closer to patients, enabling them to spend more time with family, friends and loved ones.”

The Somerset MCCU, which is called Bumble and has been in operation since 2010, has so far saved cancer patients 364,000 miles in travel and 32,000 hours of precious time.

The pair will set off from John o’ Groats on April 18 next year and hope to complete the 874-mile journey to Land’s End in about nine days.

They are aiming to raise £2,000 – to sponsor them visit their Just giving page – https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/wellingtonandlongforthhouse