A HOMECOMING with a difference is being organised by a Tavistock mum — and she wants all local residents to join in!

Val Evans’ son Darren will be cycling 650 miles from his current home in Switzerland to his home town of Tavistock to raise funds for Parkinson’s UK.

The charity is close to the family’s hearts as Dave, Val’s husband and Darren’s dad, has been living with the condition for almost 30 years.

Setting out on Sunday, August 2, Darren hopes to complete his ride by Sunday, August 9 — and Val is urging people to join her in cheering Darren over the finish line.

Val said: ‘Cycling from Switzerland is a massive achievement so it only seemed right to throw a party for Darren. It would be great to see as many people as possible there to welcome him back to Tavistock.

‘As a family we do as much as we can to raise awareness and help find a cure. Darren has raised almost £4,000 from various challenges so far and we hope the cycle will add to this.’

The reception for Darren will take place at The Anchorage Centre, Chapel Street at 11am; refreshments will be provided. Darren is expected to arrive at 11.30am after catching the ferry across from France to Portsmouth, costs of which have been generously donated by Brittany Ferries.

The reception will also provide an opportunity to find out everything the local Parkinson’s support group offers to people with Parkinson’s and their families.

Paul Jackson-Clark, director of fundraising at Parkinson’s UK, said: ‘This is an amazing challenge for Darren to set himself, running a marathon is demanding enough but to add a 650-mile cycle in the same year is incredible.

‘As the UK’s Parkinson’s support and research charity we are leading the way to find a cure, but our work would not be possible without fundraisers like Darren. I hope there is a big welcoming committee to get him over that finish line.’