Stephen Speirs will cycle 450 from Vietnam and Cambodia in memory of his father

Stephen Speirs, from Old Cwmbran, is raising money for St David’s Hospice Care, who looked after his father in his last few weeks, and has already raised more than £3,000.

Mr Speirs, 54, said: “They provided tremendous support to my father and my family at a very difficult time and for this I am forever grateful.

“My father died from bowel cancer twelve years ago and I have already done a London marathon for St David’s Hospice Care, for example.”

The keen cyclist said he was due to do the challenge last year, but he had to cancel it last minute after breaking his elbow three or four weeks beforehand.

“I chose to do it because I have not been to the country before,” he said. “I like cycling and photography as well.

“I am looking forward to meeting other people who are doing the challenge and seeing the country, especially the jungle.”

He said the trip is run by an organisation called “Charity Challenge” and will be 11 days in total, including the travel time.

Mr Speirs said that they will cycle from Saigon, in Vietnam, to Angkor, in Cambodia. He said they will be leaving on November 11 and will be cycling 52km on the first day, 82km on the second day and, on the third and fourth day, they will be cycling more than 90km each day.

The fifth day will be dedicated to administration for the Cambodia crossing and, on the sixth and seventh day, they will be cycling around 65km a day.

Mr Speirs said he hopes to raise as much as he can for “this wonderful charity”.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/stephen-speirs2

Anybody or a company wishing to sponsor Mr Speirs, can contact him on ssstephen41@gmail.com