A FORMER firefighter who works in Whitchurch has announced he will be cycling from Land's End to John O' Groats to raise money for charity this summer.

Andy Ruscoe-Icke will be travelling from the most southerly to most northerly points of the UK in aid of the Fire Fighter's Charity and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Andy served as an on-call firefighter in Audlem Fire Station for more than 10 years before leaving in 2019. He currently works as the dairy manager in Belton Farm, Whitchurch.

He said he was motivated to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity due to the support he had received from them.

Whitchurch Herald: Andy Ruscoe-Icke.

Andy explained: "I was an on-call firefighter and I have seen the good work the Fire Fighter's Charity has done. They supported me after an injury, so that is the reason why I am doing it for it.

"Also, the Macmillan Cancer Support, again we have had first-hand experience of the support they give and felt it was a worthy cause."

The journey will begin on July 17 in Cornwall and it will take Andy 14 days to get to northern Scotland, averaging between 70 and 80 miles a day.

Andy said he has been cycling over the weekends to prepare himself for the physically tough challenge.

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He said: "We have been cycling Saturday and Sundays and one cycle ride midweek. Over the next couple of weeks, I will be cycling in to work and back on a regular basis.

"Every day for a couple of weeks but it will not be the same mileage. I will ride in consecutive days, get used to riding every day."

Since his challenge went public Andy said he has received a lot of support.

He explained: "In the last 24 hours, since I made it known that I am actually going to do it, there has been a real rally and support.

"A lot of people have sent me messages of "well done" and "all the best."

"The sponsorship started to roll in."

This is the first big challenge Andy has done in several years.

He said: "Many years ago I ran the London Marathon and I ran the Chester Marathon. But we are going back a long time, in my younger days that was.

"It has been quite a big gap since I have done anything this significant."

Belton Farm has also donated money to Andy’s fundraiser.

You can donate for the Fire Fighters Charity via https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/andrew-ruscoe-icke1

You can donate for Macmillan Cancer Support via https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/andrew-ruscoe-icke