Mr Baker (31), from Stanground, is taking on the challenge of riding 600 kilometres, or 420 miles, to raise £5,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The gruelling journey, which has been organised by the charity, will take seven days to complete and will take him from the Great Wall of China at Yulin all the way to Baishui, close to the famous Terracotta Warriors.

Mr Baker said: "I'm a keen amateur boxer, so I'm hoping my fitness levels from that will help me to get through this one, which takes place in September.

"I have organised a number of fund-raising events including sponsored boxing matches, a special event in a restaurant and I'm taking part in the Great Eastern Run."

Mr Baker said he wanted to help Macmillan because the charity had helped his grandfather before his death from cancer.

The ride will not be the first of its kind for the officer of seven years, who completed a similar distance in Mexico 10 years ago.

That challenge was so severe it left Mr Baker with a liver infection, which meant he was unable to work for two years.

However, that bad experience has not put him off and he is keen to raise as much money as possible before the adventure.

"The experience made me a bit dubious about doing a similar challenge again, but I've plucked up the courage and I'm actually looking forward to it.

"Everyone has been fully supportive of what I'm doing. It makes it easier to organise events when people are behind the cause, you feel like you really are making a difference.

"You can feel like only an individual and quite insignificant, but when people are keen to do their bit and compliment you on the work, it really helps."

n Anyone wanting to sponsor Mr Baker can do so by contacting him on 0845 456 4564 or visiting www.just giving.com/chrisbaker1

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