A FATHER and son team are joining forces to take on a 1,000 mile cycle challenge in memory of lost family members.

Joe Mead, 16, of Alfrick, will be setting off from Land's End on Saturday, August 16 to John O'Groats to raise for money for Alzheimer's Society- a disease both his grandparents suffered with before they died.

He is aiming to complete the challenge with his dad Matt Mead, after his nan Diane died in April this year and his grandad died two years ago, within 12 to 14 days.

Joe, a former Chase High School student, said: "Me and may dad have been thinking about doing something like this for a while, but after my nan passed away it really gave us the motivation to do it.

"My grandparents were diagnosed with dementia when I was pretty young, so I never quite got to know the wonderful people that they were, they spent most of their later years away from most of our family while they were being treated.

"There's nearly no chance they would have recognised me; they often couldn't remember who my parents were, or the person who they had been married to and loved for most of their lives, which is sad in so many ways.

"I think the challenge itself will go quite well, hopefully, as my dad's completed marathons and the like before so is a pretty good pace-setter. Plus, knowing my dad's going with me gives me a sense of back up too."

Joe says he wants to do it to help others in the same situation he once found himself in.

"I want to help people who are being effected by it too, but even though this won't bring my grandparents back, I want to do my bit to ensure this horrible disease effects as few people as possible in the future.

"It's quite touching and makes it easier when I speak to people who are effected by it also though, which helps" he said.

The pair have a fundraising target of £1,000 and have currently raised around £750.

To donate to their cause, visit justgiving.com/Joe-Mead or to find out more about Alzheimer's Society visit alzheimers.org.uk