A Carshalton man and his son will take up a cycle challenge in America to raise money for a cancer charity.

Michael Clark, 41, and his son Stephen, 21, from Raynes Park, decided to ride 3,100 miles across the country to raise money for Cancer Research UK, in memory of Mr Clark’s father Fred, 73, who died of cancer last year.

Mr Clarke said: “We decided to do this after my father died of cancer in May last year. We will be cycling 100 to 150 miles a day, just the two of us, with maps.

“I have relatives in America, so I can go and see them and raise money for Cancer research at the same time.”

The cycle starts on July 18, through the southern states of the USA and finishes on August 16 2009, after taking a short break with relatives in Texas. They will start in San Diego, California, and finish in St Augustine, Florida.

In 2006, Mr Clarke completed Lands End to John O’Groats in five days, but, apart from long training routes this will be Stephen’s first major cycle. Both father and son have been cycling as much as they can every week to prepare for the challenge.

Cancer Research UK is an independent organisation dedicated to supporting cancer research into all aspects of the disease through the work of more than 4,500 scientists, doctors and nurses.

They are hoping to raise about £3,000 for the charity. To help Mr Clark and Stephen, go to justgiving.com/ridingforfred7.

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