A CYCLIST is preparing to ride across the country in a single day for charity.

Doug Winham, from County Durham, plans to start the 135-mile ride at Workington, on the Cumbrian coast, tomorrow.

The father-of-two hopes to complete his leg-weary exertions at Roker Pier, in Sunderland, that evening.

His tough personal challenge has won the support of many backers, and should raise about £7,000 for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation cancer support charity.

Mr Winham, a company director from Langley Moor, near Durham, said: “The nerves are starting to kick in a bit now.

“There has been quite a bit of rain forecast and I hope it is not too windy.”

He has been training since December for the marathon effort and has regularly covered about 200 miles per week, in preparation.

Mr Winham said he felt moved to help North-East cancer sufferers after losing his mother-in-law, Janet Richardson, to the disease.

The foundation has raised more than £1.2m to help victims and opened a dedicated treatment centre in Newcastle.

Mr Winham said: “While her mother was being treated, my wife would occasionally see Sir Bobby there.

“It was her idea to raise money for his foundation because it means it will stay in the North- East.”

Sir Bobby, the former Newcastle and England football manager, who, lives near Chester-le-Street, is battling cancer for the fifth time.

His charity is funding two specialist cancer research staff, who are working to find more effective ways of treating the disease.