AN accountant working for Malvern Hills District Council is gearing up to cycle 100 miles in a single day to raise money for a breast cancer charity.

Simon Barker, who works in the council's finance department, takes on the Prudential Ride London-Surrey 100 on Sunday.

Mr Barker, aged 52, will join thousands of other cyclists setting off from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London before following the route through the capital and out into the Surrey countryside.

A keen cyclist, Mr Barker is hoping his training will pay dividends and he’ll have enough in reserve to take on the gruelling hill climbs he will face as he aims to complete the course in around five hours.

He is raising money for Breast Cancer Now and hopes to add at least £800 to the charity’s balance sheet by the

end of his challenge.

Mr Barker was inspired to ride for the charity after his colleague Nicky Stevens was diagnosed with breast cancer at the end of last year.

He said: “It is for people like Nicky that I want to help Breast Cancer Now achieve its goal. Too many people who are dear to family and friends are lost through this disease and the world is a much poorer place because of that.”

Anyone interested in sponsoring him should visit justgiving.com/fundraising/simon-barker2018.