A RETIRED firefighter is about to take on a mammoth cycling challenge in order to raise money for a variety of charities close to his heart.

Robert Bocking was a keen cyclist while serving as a soldier and firefighter before taking up more long-distance routes when he retired a number of years ago.

Now he is about to embark on a huge 1,000-mile cycle from Land's End to John O'Groats in just 11 days on his own.

Robert said he was always going to do it, but decided that he might as well raise money in the process so that other people can benefit from him being fit and healthy enough to do it.

Starting on Saturday morning, Robert will take to the nation's cycle routes for five different charities – The Firefighter's Charity, Parkinson's UK, Teenage Cancer Trust, SFRS Family Support Trust and Help For Heroes.

Robert told the Advertiser his motivation behind the whole challenge, and in particular why he has chosen his five causes.

He said: "I retired in December 2017, and had always been a keen cyclist, but have been doing a lot more since retiring.

"I completed a 1,000km cycle last year for a former colleague who had been diagnosed with a brain tumour.

"I always fancied doing John O'Groats to Land's End and I have no ties apart from walking the dogs so thought I would just do it.

"I will be doing it myself apart from the final four days when I meet my wife who will come with the motorhome and assist me along to the end."

Just before turning 18, Robert joined the army and served in the 3rd Battalion light infantry before leaving after a final tour in Northern Ireland.

Following this, Robert joined the London Fire Brigade – a job which would see him eventually move to Sauchie where he currently lives.

He said: "I'm raising money for five different charities because that way there should be something for everyone, really.

"I'm ex-army so that's why Help for Heroes; my dad has Parkinson's, and I was a firefighter so that's why I'm collecting for SFRS Family Support and the Firefighter's Charity."

Robert added that he also chose Teenage Cancer Trust due to seeing a TV programme featuring a young girl called Emily Hayward who bravely battled skin cancer in the public eye.

Emily came to prominence by vlogging her battle with the disease before sadly succumbing to it last June.

Robert was so touched by her journey that he chose to raise money for the cancer charity.

With a target of £500 set, Robert is just £4 off it at the time of writing and is hoping the Wee County will get behind him on his journey as he aims to benefit as many people as he can.

Anyone wishing to donate can do so at tinyurl.com/y4aqaomp