A DAD is set to cycle almost 1,000 miles to raise money for a children’s charity.

Ivan Chatton aims to cycle from Lands End to John O’Groats in a bid to raise thousands of pounds for Magic Moments, which provides support for families of children with life limiting illnesses.

He hopes to complete the 970-mile trip in 11 days.

The Ramsden Hall School care worker, triathlete and cyclist, 42, said: “I’ve been training for the best part of a year now and it will definitely be the hardest thing I’ve done to date.

“But I think, if you’re going to do something, you should put everything into it.

“I’ve been cycling every day to get my body used to getting on the bike despite the pain.

“I think that will be the biggest challenge, getting through the pain of not wanting to cycle.”

On his shortest day, Mr Chatton, of Rudsdale Way, in Colchester, will cycle 78-miles. The longest day will be 110-miles.

He added: “Magic Moments does some amazing things for families.

“I can’t think of a more worthwhile charity to do this for.”

The charity was set up by Colchester-based estate agent Spicer Haart, which Mr Chatton's wife Helen works for. 

To donate, go to justgiving.com/I-chatton.