Cycling from Barnes to New Zealand is the way one Barnes man is saying thank you to the charity that helped him through illness.

Jeremy Scott, 38, of White Hart Lane, who had a hole in his heart as a youngster, will set off on Wednesday, October 5, for a year-and-a-half trip touring the globe on his bike. The aim is to raise money for heart charities, as a personal thank you for the help they have given him in the past.

He said: “As a child I was very sick. I couldn’t even run around the field with my friends. I was four years old when I had my operation and now I’m able to cycle around the world.”

The route will go through various countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia ending in the region of Australasia - home to the native New Zealander.

Mr Scott hopes to travel by boat where necessary and avoid plane journeys.

He said: “This has been a trip I’ve always had in mind. I’ve done a cycling trip to Vietnam and I loved it. You meet far more local people and take in a lot more.

"You hear things, smell things, see things and on a bike you can always turn back and explore.”

Mr Scott said he aims to cover about 60 miles a day through a two-day on and one day-off cycle and he also wants to spend a few months soaking in the culture of Iran and Japan.

Earlier this year Mr Scott ruptured a ligament in his knee and it seemed likely this would put back his cycling adventure but, having visited the Lake District in August, he quit his technician job and decided he was well enough to ride.

He said: “I haven’t really done too much training but it’s not a race so I’ll just get fit along the way.

“It’s helpful that the first part of Europe is fairly flat, so I should be fit by the time I get on to some big hills. The scenery will be mind-blowing.”