James Allen, will cycle from Lands End to John O'Groats to raise £10,000 in memory of his father-in-law, David Allen

James Allen, 35, of Monkham's Avenue, Woodford Green, was spurred on to cycle from Lands End to John O'Groats after the death of his father-in-law, David Allen, in February 2011.

David had battled with kidney cancer for two and a half years and was on a drug trial for a new cancer treatment at St Bartholomew's Hospital, in central London.

Keen cyclist Mr Allen said: "I always dreamed of doing the challenge since I was a young boy, but never had a real reason to do it.

"I'm doing this cycle ride is to give something back to the NHS for making David's treatment as good as possible.

"David was a very giving, honourable, family man - a super person. This is about giving something back for a man who gave so much to other people.

"My wife, Pippa, thinks that it's great that I'm putting so much effort in to giving something back for her dad. Everyone else in the family would love to do something like this, so I'm doing it for them."

Inspired by the recent success of British cyclist Bradley Wiggins, Mr Allen will aim to cycle the 874 miles in just ten days, departing from Lands End on August 13.

The money he raises will be donated to Tom Powels at the Renal unit, so other patients can benefit from pioneering cancer research and receive ground-breaking cancer treatments at St Barts.

Cycling alongside him will be David's nephew-in-law Emmett Holland and Emmett's brother Darren.

The three-man team have been donated a Subaru Outback to use as a support car by the Woodford Motor Company, which will be driven by David's brother Peter.

Steve Barnard of the garage donated the car after hearing about the remarkable challenge through his six-year-old son who is friends with Mr Allen's son, who is seven.

To donate to the cause visit justgiving.com/Lejog2012-barts.

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