A dad-of-two is gearing up to cycle from his home in Wythenshawe to Russia in a bid to raise thousands of pounds for charity.

Wesley Hamnett, 36, has plans to ride 1,250 miles from his home in Woodhouse Park to the Russian town of Sebezh, if he can secure £5,000 in donations.

He has pledged to cycle one mile for every £4 raised, and plans to divide the money between three major cancer charities, as well as the British Heart Foundation.

After losing his last surviving grandparent to cancer this month, Wesley, who works at Manchester Airport, decided he wanted to do something remarkable to pay tribute.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Wesley said: "Cancer has affected our family in so many ways, it just seems to be everywhere these days.

Wesley Hamnett

"My first granddad died when I was 10 years-old, my grandma died last year, and my 97-year-old granddad passed away last month from Bowel cancer.

"I am raising money for the Christie, Macmillan and Wythenshawe Hospital, because they were so amazing with my grandparents.

"I also want to split the money with the British Heart Foundation because I have had several mates at work who have passed away, so it sits really close with me."

Wesley with his two daughters, aged seven and nine

"It's such a big challenge that I really wanted to help as many charities as possible," he added.

Wesley is no stranger to cycling cross country, having already completed two charity bike rides from Manchester to London and London to Amsterdam.

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But his latest venture would see him testing himself to new limits.

Wesley Hamnett with his partner and two daughters

"In a way I really hope I raise enough money, but on the other hand I'm a bit scared," Wesley said.

"I have started planning to see which bike I would need to use. I have three different types of bike which drives my partner mad as I have to keep them all in the house.

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"I have worked it out and I am looking at around 10 days to cycle to Russia, which works out at about 130 miles a day."

Wesley Hamnett

Wesley says he hopes to secure some help from major businesses, in the hope his partner and two daughters can join him for part of the trip.

"I'm hoping they can come and cheer me on because I don't want to hit a wall in the middle of Europe," he said.

You can donate to Wesley's gofundme page here.

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