A SUPERFIT married father-of-two will be pushing his body to the limit as he completes the 3,500k Tour de France route a week before the cycling professionals hit the exact same course.

Iain Campbell, of Kingston St Mary, is upping his demanding training programme ahead of the Brussels to Paris challenge from June 29 to July 21.

He regularly visits the gym and has run marathons, taken part in Ironman races and cycled from John o'Groats to Land's End between juggling full-time work as chief financial officer with an investment company and family life.

"It's a big challenge. I hope I can do it, but it's a big unknown," said Iain, aged 35.

"The key will be making sure I eat enough and recovery.

"I did John o'Groats to Land's End over ten days, but the Tour de France is three weeks of cycling. It's another level.

"There will be shorter days of time trials, longer days of around 200 miles on flatter roads and 100 miles for the mountain stages.

"I'm ramping things up as the weather improves and the evenings become lighter and in May I'm doing the Tour of Wessex bike ride over three days, covering more than 100 miles a day."

While his previous challenges have all been for personal reasons, he hopes his Tour experience, covering gradients of up top 20 per cent, will raise £3,000 for the William Wates Memorial Trust.

The charity, which helps disadvantaged youngsters steer clear of crime, was founded by the family of a 19-year-old shot dead by robbers in Honduras in 1996.

Iain said: "As I grow older, I am increasingly aware how fortunate I’ve been in having the right guidance and opportunities to allow me to take a happy and successful path in life and that is something I hope I can provide for my own children too.

"When William Wates passed away his family acknowledged their own privileged position and the awareness he had of this and in his honour made a promise to help youngsters with a less fortunate start in life by setting up the William Wates Memorial Trust.

"The trust helps the most disadvantaged young people keep away from a life of crime and violence and fulfil their potential.

"This is achieved by giving grants to charities that engage young people through the mediums of sport, arts and education."

To sponsor Iain, go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=IainCampbellleloop&pageUrl=1