St Neots fundraiser Gary Childerley is preparing to take on a mammoth bike ride in support of a charity based at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

Mr Childerley, aged 57, will set off on his gruelling 300-mile ride, visiting football clubs across East Anglia along the route. He will start at St Neots Town Football Club in Kester Way on September 14 and hopes to ride into Eaton Socon’s ground in River Road four days later.

Mr Childerley, of Green End Road, is raising money for Acorn House, which is part of the Sick Children’s Trust, a charity that supports and provides accommodation for the families of children in hospital.

The inventory controller, who works at Sealed Air Ltd in Cromwell Road, has previously raised funds for the Alzeimer’s Society and Bloodwise charity.

He chose to raise funds for Acorn House after four-year-old Benjamin Beaumont, the son of friends, was diagnosed with cancer of the blood and he witnessed the support they received from the hospital facility.

“Acorn House provides a necessary sanctuary for the whole family to stay close to their sick children and at no cost. I am hoping to raise enough money to sponsor a room at the house for six months at a total cost of £2,417,” said Gary.

Acorn House opened in 2000 and helps about 440 families every year. Situated within the hospital grounds, it is only minutes away from the wards. Rooms are allocated to families on a priority basis and funded by voluntary donations from individuals, companies and charitable trusts.

Mr Childerley, a father of three, added: “My cycle challenge will be almost 300 miles and I shall set off from St Neots Town Football Club and over the course of four days cycling will visit Peterborough United, King’s Lynn Town, Norwich City, Lowestoft Town, Ipswich Town, Colchester United, Braintree Town, Cambridge United and will complete the tour finishing at Eaton Socon. I’m not a serious cyclist, but have always had a bike, I like to think that if I can make a difference to those people less fortunate than myself by just cycling a few miles, then all well and good. I will be staying overnight en-route but all accommodation costs will be paid for solely by myself and all proceeds raised from this event will go directly to Acorn House - The Sick Children’s Trust.”

INFO: If you would like to make a donation, go to: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Gary-Childerley3.