Brothers ready for Grand charity cycle ride
"Dad would probably think we're both nuts, but he'd like the cause we're doing it for."
Steve and Matt Jukes are getting the reps in and doing the final bits of training before they take on a huge 175-mile fundraising cycling challenge.
The brothers from Halesowen will be cycling the entire length of the Grand Union canal, starting in Halesowen and aiming to finish in Lewisham three days later.
on Friday, September 25 and aiming to finish in Lewisham in South London on Monday, September 28.
Steve and Matt are doing the ride in aid of Cancer Research UK after their father Ian died of kidney cancer on January 1 at the age of 70 after a six-month battle.
Matt, 31, said: "Cancer is a devastating disease, which sadly affects most of us at some point during our lives.
"Our experience and that of so many others that we have spoken to these past few months has motivated us to set this endurance challenge to help raise money for Cancer Research UK.
"This is a charity close to our hearts and their pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer helps save millions of lives every year."
Steve said he and Matt were not regular cyclists but were keen to raise awareness and money.
The 36-year-old said: "We wanted to do something together and do something that struck the right balance of being a charity event and one that would grab people's attention.
"The feelings right now are a mixture of apprehension and excitement and we've been putting in the miles to get ready, doing 40 to 50 miles per day.
"We're definitely excited about it though and any contributions, large or small, would be hugely appreciated as we've already broken our target of £2,500."
To donate to the brothers' ride, which has already raised £2,800 for Cancer Research UK, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/ianjukes1949
