A devastated cyclist who struggled to cope after his father suddenly died has taken on a gruelling bike challenge to raise money for charity.

James Foster, from High Wycombe, started his epic 54-mile-a-day road trip on May 7 and has taken time out of his family holiday to complete it in a bid to raise cash for Marie Curie.

He is taking on the 54-day challenge in memory of his dad Roy, who lost his short but brave battle with cancer aged 54 in 2001.

James wants to raise funds to help with the support and care given by Marie Curie to families during grief and bereavement, something which a young 23-year old James did not do very well during the sudden loss of his dad.

James said: “As a keen, and once competitive cyclist, riding 5-6 days a week is nothing new to me. However, the distance of a minimum 54 miles a day for 54 consecutive days will push me to my limit. I will also have to fit this challenge into my everyday life; family and work.”

Charlotte Jackson, fundraising manager for the cancer care charity, said: “ It will be great to work with James, I have never seen anyone take on such a challenge but I know that he is driven and keen to deliver and that all of his family are behind him. The Marie Curie support helpline can be a lifeline so many people who need it and it is open up to absolutely anyone, so family members can use it having just received a diagnosis as well as those that have just lost a loved one.”

James plans to complete the exhausting 2,916 mile ride by Saturday, June 30 and has been be uploading his progress to Strava and via his blog, sittingonwheels.com.

To pledge your support, sponsor James at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/james-54for54.