A golf club boss is cycling more than 800 miles across the country to raise money for research into Alzheimer’s disease.

Richard Haygarth, director of the Horton Park Golf Club in Hook Road, Epsom, will be taking on the Lands End to John O’Groats challenge which sees cyclists travel the whole length of the island from the south-west to the north-east.

The 48-year-old, and his two friends, plan to tackle 100 miles each day for 10 days - setting off on Saturday, June 23, and finishing on Monday, July 2.

Mr Haygarth will be raising money for Alzheimer’s Research UK, the country’s leading dementia research charity.

He said: "My mum suffered from Alzheimer’s for several years before her death in 2010 and I saw first-hand what a dreadful disease it is.

"Any money you can spare to help find a cure will be put to excellent use."

Mr Haygarth started cycling seriously four years ago after injuring his knee, before which he was a committed distance runner who participated in a number of marathons.

He resisted calls from his friends to take on the test for two years, before succumbing and deciding to go along for the ride.

He said: "A friend of mine started badgering me to do Lands End to John O’Groats, but I resisted as I knew, from doing my marathons, the amount of training I would have to do and that at some point it would become a chore.

"But I’m looking forward to the ride.

"I've done thousands of miles of training including 170 miles coast to coast, Morecambe to Bridlington, which was 170 miles in two days. There were plenty of hills, rain and a head wind, but we made it.

"So I am as ready as I will ever be, creaking body permitting, but you always worry about what you haven’t thought about.

"Navigation could be a challenge as we are planning on keeping on minor roads and avoid the busier main roads.

"I am doing it with two good friends though so it should be a laugh."

To sponsor Mr Haygarth and make a donation to Alzheimer’s Research UK visit www.justgiving.com/Richard-Haygarth

For more information about Alzheimer’s Research UK visit www.alzheimersresearchuk.org