AN intrepid Kendal cyclist is travelling across the country in order to raise money for a hospital unit close to his heart.

Cycling over three days, Oliver Fallows will travel from Whitehaven to Tynemouth – a distance of 138 miles.

He is raising money for the neonatal unit at a University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust. Olive said he wanted to give something back after his daughter was born in 2016.

He said: "On May 9 2016 my daughter Sophie was born by emergency C section. She was given around 50 per cent chance of survival being born at just 26 weeks. Despite set backs and many concerns she now continues to thrive and grow, enjoying life to the full as any normal toddler.

"Although Sophie is certainly a strong girl, with fighting spirit, we realise we owe so much to the staff at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

"If it were not for them our baby girl would not be here now. They did an amazing job. To help them continue this fantastic life changing work I am hoping to raise money towards new equipment in the neonatal ward."

You can help Oliver raise money by visiting his just giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/oliverfallows.

Sue Smith, Executive Chief Nurse and Deputy Chief Executive UHMBT, said: "We’d all like to thank Oliver for undertaking this huge challenge and wish him every success.

"We look forward to watching his progress and are pleased Sophie is thriving."