A TAUNTON man and two friends are embarking on a cycle challenge in the South-West to raise money for charity.

Mark Hunt, Rob Screen and Brandon Barry, who all work in the IT department at Musgrove Park Hospital, are cycling 450 miles, setting off tomorrow (June 14).

They will be travelling from Taunton across Exmoor and North Devon, down to Land’s End and back.

The trio have already smashed their initial target of £100, reaching well over £440 in just under 24 hours.

They are now hoping to raise £1,000 with the money going to St Margaret’s Hospice.

Mark said: “Rob and I turned 30 this year, and Brandon turned 50 last year, and we all wanted to do something to celebrate it, so I came up with this idea and thought we might as well raise money at the same time.

“I’ve had a few relatives and friends who ended up in the hospice, and I know St Margaret’s do so much for the community, so I wanted to do something to help them.

“We haven’t done much training – there have been three occasions when we’ve all been out together and we did 80 miles once, but it will be tricky to start with as there are 40 miles of cycling uphill.

“I’m not the healthiest of people, but I’ve always wanted to do something like this and set a good example to my children.

“I’d love to try and do John O’Groats to Land’s End, but it depends on whether the other two are up for it.

“We’re due back at work on June 21, , but who knows what state we’ll be in.

“At least working at Musgrove we’re in the right place to be looked after!”

To sponsor Mark, Rob and Barry, visit www.justgiving.com/imperimus