A TAVISTOCK man accompanied by three friends is this week well into a 750-mile cycle ride to raise funds for two deserving causes.

Mark Harold, the National Trust's director for the South West, and his friends Richard Gould, Pete Rogers and Robert Sorrell started their challenge last Saturday and aim to complete it in just 12 days, raising money for the National Trust BMX project in Plymouth and the Prostate Cancer Charity.

Although not most people's idea of a holiday, Mark's aim is to visit 34 National Trust properties in six counties across the South West, zig-zagging from the north to south coasts seven times. He starts at the gardens of Hidcote Manor in Gloucestershire and finishes at Lizard Point in Cornwall on 9 May.

Joined by a variety of friends and colleagues, and covering almost the same distance as Land's End to John O'Groats, this is a very personal journey for Mark.

He said: "Last year I was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 50 and had surgery.

'Thanks to the wonderful care from all the dedicated staff at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth and the Abbey Surgery team in Tavistock, I've made a full recovery.

'It was a real shock to be diagnosed with cancer, but just over a year on it is wonderful to feel fit and well enough to take on a real challenge and raise money to help others in the same plight.

'My friends and I love cycling, and want young people to enjoy cycling as much as we do.

'I also want to use this cycle challenge to raise awareness of the wealth of what the Trust offers in terms of outdoor experiences, so we are also raising money for a National Trust BMX project in Plymouth.

'The money we raise through our 'Cream Cake Cycle Challenge' will be spent on construction materials and tools needed for the construction and maintenance of the trail.'

The National Trust BMX project was originally an idea from local young people in Plymouth. The Trust has worked closely with Plymouth Youth Services, several groups of young people and a local educational project Bikespace to develop the BMX trailon unused land under the A38 between Plymbridge and Saltram.

Mark and his team reckon that Day 7, across Exmoor is expected to be the hardest, with each stage described as either 'beast' or 'tough' on the team schedule!

The last few days of the 'Cream Cake Cycle Challenge' will see Mark and his team riding through Saltram estate, before tackling the steep hills around Cotehele.

Zig-zagging between north and south coasts, two ferries will help en-route to Lanhydrock and Trelissick, before they try a barefoot walking trail at Godolphin and cross the causeway to St Michael's Mount.  The last leg taking them south through Mullion and then down the Lizard finally ending up at the most southerly point in England to be greeted by cheering colleagues, a Cornish cream tea and a pint or two of Cornish beer.

To support Mark and his friends on their challenge, and donate to either of these worthwhile charities, visit http://www.justgiving.com/teams/creamcakecyclechallenge">www.justgiving.com/teams/creamcakecyclechallenge