A proud Epsom Dad swaps jeans for lyra as he takes on an 80-mile cycling challenge for a children’s charity inspired by his daughter with a brain injury.

John Day will be joined by a team of 20 cyclists to take on the London to Canterbury Cycle Challenge to raise money for Children’s Trust on September 10.

The team, named ‘Bel’s Bikers’, were inspired by Mr Day’s teenage daughter, Annabel, who received specialist brain injury rehabilitation at the charity following an unexpected brain haemorrhage last year.

Mr Day said: “Annabel has been incredibly strong and determined throughout the last year and we are so proud of what she has achieved - she has made a fantastic recovery and is now back at school.

“Taking part in this challenge is my way of saying thank you to the incredible professionals at The Children’s Trust who made an enormous difference to Annabel’s recovery.”

Hoping to raise over £4,000 for the children’s charity, the father will set off with the team from Kidbrooke in the morning determined to get to his destination in seven hours.

“Without their support we might not be where we are now as a family, so taking on a #MyBrave challenge for both the charity, Annabel and the other children they support, who all have their own unique challenges, seemed an obvious thing to do,” added the cyclist.

“Roll on 10th September, it promises to be an exciting challenge, we can’t wait!”

Annabel, 15, stayed at The Children’s Trust in 2016 being transferred from hospital for intensive rehabilitation including a therapy programme to help her regain skills and confidence.