Derbyshire schoolboy aiming for John O'Groats-Land's End record - at age of 12

A schoolboy from Derbyshire will this summer aim to be the youngest person to cycle from John O’Groats to Land’s End in less than 20 days.

Kian Pearson, who is a Year 8 student at the David Nieper Academy in Alfreton, will be 12 years of age when he undertakes the challenge in July, accompanied by his father and uncle.

The youngster hopes to complete the 900-mile ride in 14 days, and is aiming to raise £10,000 in sponsorship for the charity Dementia UK, a condition his late grandfather suffered from.

To prepare for the ride, Kian is training at a gym six times a week as well as undertaking regular bike rides from his home to Skegneess, around 90 miles away.

He said: "I saw my Grandad when he was poorly and it was awful – I just want to help other people who have this disease."

His father, Ian Pearson, said: "Kian has been affected by what happened to his Grandad and is 100 per cent committed to completing this cycle ride in his memory, we are really proud of the effort he is putting into his training, diet and fundraising activities.

“We urgently need more sponsors to get involved and help Kian reach his target."

His head teacher, Dr Kathryn Hobbs, added: "This is a huge physical and mental challenge for someone of Kian's age – he is incredibly courageous and totally focused on his goal.

“It is rare for someone so young to take on such an ambitious challenge, so it would be fantastic if the local community and businesses could get involved and visit Kian's fundraising page."

Here is the planned itinerary for the ride:

Day 1 John O'Groats - The Crask (82 miles)

Day 2 The Crask - Inverness (66 miles)

Day 3 Inverness - Glencoe (83 miles)

Day 4 Glencoe - Loch Lomond (66 miles)

Day 5 Loch Lomond - Moffat (83 miles)

Day 6 Moffat - Keswick (72 miles)

Day 7 Keswick - Stainburn (75 miles)

Day 8 Stainburn - Runcorn (64 miles)

Day 9 Runcorn - Clun (80 miles)

Day 10 Clun - Monmouth (65 miles)

Day 11 Monmouth - Glastonbury (64 miles)

Day 12 Glastonbury - Moretonhampstead (60 miles)

Day 13 Moretonhampstead - Fowley (64 miles)

Day 14 Fowley - Land's End (64 miles)

Day 15 Home!