This will be the second time that Gary Ives takes on the gruelling 75-mile bike ride named Kristy's Challenge, after his daughter, Kristyanne (15) passed away suddenly seven years ago.

This time, Mr Ives, who has worked for Perkins Engines for more than six years as a senior manufacturing and systems engineer, will be raising money for Sue Ryder Care's Thorpe Hall Hospice, in Longthorpe, Peterborough.

Kristyanne, who spoke fluent Spanish, played the flute and wanted to travel the world, was preparing for her GCSEs when she was struck by a killer disease.

Over a four-day period she went from having the symptoms of a severe migraine to being on a life support machine, and went on to be diagnosed as having cerebellar medulloblastoma – an extremely rare form of childhood malignant cancer.

Mr Ives said: "I want to help a cancer-related charity, and have named the event after Kristyanne. As I work at Perkins and had received overwhelming support from my colleagues during last year's event, raising £3,026 for Macmillan Cancer Support, I thought it would be appropriate this year to raise funds to support Peterborough's hospice."

The gruelling solo, one-day ride, which takes place on April 27, will take Mr Ives from Limehouse Basin on the River Thames to his home in Milton Keynes, passing the likes of London Zoo, Wembley, Little Britain, Rickmansworth, Hemel Hempstead and Leighton Buzzard.

He will also go over 130 bridges, past 75 lock gates and along towpaths ranging from narrow potholed muddy tracks to smooth gravel.

Obstacles and hazards along his way will include people, dogs, mooring posts, fishermen and the chance that he could fall into the water less than 2ft away.

After visiting Thorpe Hall Hospice and talking to the staff and fund-raising team there, Mr Ives said he was determined to complete the gruelling ride, which is estimated to take about 11 hours, whatever the weather.

Mr Ives has put his money where his bike is and sponsored himself £100 to get the ball rolling.

He is now hoping that friends and relatives will help him reach his £4,000 target.

Mr Ives added: "The money will make a real difference to the hospice and its support for people in the Peterborough community."

To sponsor Gary's 75-mile cycle ride visit www.justgiving.com/kristyschallenge