ISLANDER David Holmes is busy training to cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats in just nine days.

David (32) and his brother Chris (29), from Scotland, plan to set off on 21 July and raise thousands of pounds for Autism Jersey. To achieve the goal they will have to cycle 100 miles a day.

‘Neither of us has cycled anything like this. I have done a few longish cycling tours in the past, but nothing like this distance – although I did always carry my own tent, spares, tools, cooking equipment and so on,’ said David, an actuary specialising in pensions with BWCI Ltd.

‘Chris has experience of ultra-marathon running in the desert and Channel swimming, but nothing close to this in terms of cycling.’

The pair will be supported on their marathon journey up the country by their parents, who will tow the support caravan.

‘As well as providing a whole lot of support and helping us to rest, it also means we can keep the weight on the bikes down a bit by not having to carry all of our equipment and spares,’ explained David.

He added that he was supporting Autism Jersey because his cousin, Owen, was on the autistic spectrum and had had great help from organisations in Scotland.

‘As a young child, the effects of his autism were probably hardest on his parents, but now as he reaches his mid-teens the difficulties and confusion caused by being ‘‘different’’ from his peers will start to have a much bigger impact on him than before.

‘Owen also likes cycling and has raised money doing sponsored cycling events in the past. All our family are really proud of Owen and his mum and dad, Hugh and Irene, who have worked so hard to give him a good life. I hope any money we raise can help others like Owen and his parents.’

Anyone who wants to support david can log on to www.justgiving.com/DavidHolmesJersey. BWCI have agreed to match the first £250 he raises pound for pound.