Friends of a former Island teacher, who died last year, are continuing his charity fundraising in his memory.

Bob Marchbank, who taught at the Sheppey School during the late 1970s and early 1980s, used to take part in challenges and golfing competitions every year for various good causes.

They included riding along the Thames in a pedalo, climbing Mont Blanc and climbing the three highest peaks in the UK.

Eight months before Bob Marchbank died from pancreatic cancer aged 59, he had decided on his next challenge to cycle the length of the River Rhine but unfortunately it was not to be.

Now golfing buddies David How, of High Wycombe, and former Cheyne teacher Mark Stock, of Sheerness, are picking up the baton.

They began the 1,300km journey at the source in Andermatt, Switzerland, on Tuesday and will go through Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany and France before ending in Rotterdam, Holland.

Friend of Mr Marchbank, Chris Middleton, from Minster, said: “Bob was a great organiser. He set up a Witney versus Sheppey Ryder Cup style charity competition which went for about 12 years.”

Sponsorship is being collected for Pancreatic Cancer Action, a charity which focuses on early diagnosis to give people a better chance of survival.

To make a donation, go to www.justgiving.com/David-How2.