THREE friends will set off on their bikes this week to travel 915 miles across the UK.

Ian Watkinson, 32, Chris Brown MBE, 59, and Tony Ault, 60, all from the Thirsk area, will begin their journey from Lands End in Cornwall to John O Groats in Scotland on Wednesday.

The three are cycling the length of the country in aid of Parkinson’s UK.

Mr Watkinson, a joiner, was inspired to raise money for the charity after his dad Brian Watkinson, 67, was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2004.

More than 10,000 people are living with Parkinson's, a progressive neurological condition, in Yorkshire and Humberside and there is currently no cure.

Mr Watkinson began fundraising last year and raised more than £600 when he competed in the Great North Run.

The team, who met at a circuit training club, will be on the road for two weeks and will stay in a rented campervan on the night, which will be driven by two of their friends.

On average the team will cover more than 76 miles each day through varied and challenging terrain.

Ian said: "It’s going to be very tough but we’ve spent a long time preparing and training for the ride. We need to find better treatments and hopefully one day a cure for people like my dad."

So far they have raised more than £2,000.

Anyone wishing to sponsor the team and leave them a good luck message can do so online at www.justgiving.com/LandsEnd-JohnOGroats2011