A TAUNTON man is taking on an extraordinary challenge to raise more than £10,000 for a breast cancer charity.

Ian Styles, 59, a retired police inspector from Taunton, will be travelling 1,000 miles by boat, bike and boot from April 29 until the end of June to raise the funds in memory of his friend who died of breast cancer.

The determined fundraiser will be canoeing 130 miles up and down the Caledonian Canal, cycling 330 miles from London to Bristol and back again and walking 630 miles along the South West Coastal Path while carrying all of his kit. 

Mr Styles, said: "I am taking on this challenge as a tribute to Yvonne Cassidy, a friend of mine who suffered from breast cancer and like many other sufferers is sadly no longer here.

"I am looking to raise more than £10,000 for Breast Cancer Now which is a great charity which offers support to people suffering from breast cancer.

"I will be giving updates throughout my trip about my progress and will be relying entirely on the kindness of my friends to have somewhere to stay while I embark on this journey."

Mr Styles will be rowing from Inverness to Fort William and back from April 29 to May 7 with his son Michael Styles and friend Pippa Piper.

He will be cycling from the Mayor of London's office in London to the Mayor of Bristol's Office and back from June 2 to June 11 with his son Michael, Richard Rhys and Will Felton.

Mr Styles will then be walking the 630 mile route along the South West Coastal path from Swanage to Minehead alone from June 17. 

The determined fundraiser hopes to finish the challenge by the end of June and will be taking all of his equipment with him on the trip. 

Mr Styles has previously taken on challenges to raise money for the charity including canoeing 284 miles from Bristol to London last year with his son Michael Styles and friend Pippa Piper.

Mr Styles added: "It will be an amazing challenge to take on for such a great cause and I really want to hit the £10,000 target I have set.

"A lot of training and hard work has gone into this and I have had a great deal of support from my friends and family.

"People can donate through my Just Giving Page or by texting"CANU60" to the "70070" along with the amount.

"You'll get a text back saying the monies have been received and asking for the gift aid, text 'yes'."

For more information or to donate visit www.justgiving.com/boatbikeandboot