AN ARNSIDE man will take on a gruelling challenge to raise money for a charity close to his heart.

Andy Sier, aged 44, will cycle 600 miles in 10 days to support JDRP, the type one diabetes charity.

His daughter, Anna, was diagnosed with the condition at the age of two, and although fit and well as she approaches her ninth birthday, Mr Sier wants to fund the research that hopes to find a cure.

He said: “Anna is fine but she still requires daily insulin injections and blood glucose tests, just to stay alive. The choice of charity was because of my daughter but I want to help others.

“She thinks what I’m going to do is great and is very proud.”

Mr Sier’s chosen cycle route will feature some of his favourite parts of the Lake District, including Linthwaite Hotel near Windermere, where his wedding reception was held.

Development manager at JDRF, Chris Normington, said: “The money raised will help support vital research needed to find the cure for type one diabetes and its devastating complications.

“Thank you to Andy for taking on such a mammoth challenge in aid of JDRF. Only research will find the cure and every penny raised will take JDRF one step closer to that goal.”

You can donate to Andy by visiting http://www.justgiving.com/Andy-Sier