WHEN a Hittesleigh youngster makes his attempt to cycle from John O'Groats to Lands End next summer he will be also making the record books.

Not only is Bow Cann, at seven, the youngest ever to tackle the challenge but he suffers from the incurable lung disease cystic fibrosis.

The brave youngster, who was diagnosed with the disease at 18-months-old, will be accompanied by his family, which consists of mum and dad and his three siblings, who are all mad-keen on cycling.

And to help them on their way, Jag Communications in Okehampton presented Bow with a cheque for £122 on Friday after running a local competition. The money will kick start a trust fund for cystic fibrosis research.

Bow's mum Sam said that her son was two and a half when the family went on their first cycling holiday and he absolutely adored it.

'It's the best way of travelling with kids — we are all in it together and it is such a big adventure,' she said.

To control his disease, Bow has to take pills with everything he eats and has physiotherapy twice a day to keep his lungs clear of the regular build up of mucus, but despite this Mrs Cann said Bow never let his illness get in the way of doing what he wanted to do.

'He is very well in himself and is fitter than most,' she said.

'He goes running once a week with the running club and cycles most weekends.

'We do not know what the future holds for Bow but he is such an energetic child — come hell or high water he will go for it. He's the sort of child who will end up in Outer Mongolia climbing a rockface.'

She said cycling was second nature to all her children — Bow's siblings are Calamity-Jayne, 15, Haby-Blu, 14 and Capability-Jack, 8.

'We have been cycling in Holland and France. We take all the drugs for Bow and are totally self sufficient when we go on holiday,' she added.

'The John O'Groats to Land End challenge is all about raising awareness of cystic fibrosis and to raise a lot of money for the Cystic Fibrosis Fund if we can.'

Mrs Cann said the ride, which is expected to take three weeks, would also prove to people that no matter what their circumstances cycling was for everyone.

'You can cycle if you are pregnant or with a baby older than three months— it really is a fantastic way of getting around.'

She added that she was very grateful to Jag Communications for their fundraising efforts and the family would be passing through Okehampton during their challenge next year to say thankyou to everyone who had contributed.

Manager of Jag in Okehampton Mike Howard, who is involved in running the Okehampton Bike Show each year in aid of the Devon Air Ambulance, said he was delighted to help the cause.

'Bow is brilliant — he is an inspiration and so full of energy. I like to help fundraising efforts like this if I can especially if there are children involved.'

Anyone who wants to sponsor Bow's cycle ride or make a donation can call into Jag Communications in West Street, Okehampton or phone Sam Cann on 07780 610077.