A pensioner who beat prostate cancer last year is training for two mammoth cycle rides in aid of a charity that supports sufferers of the disease.

Jeff Gage, 70, of Ashford Road, Bethersden, is raising cash for Prostate Cancer UK as part of the charity’s sponsorship scheme Men United V Prostate Cancer.

His first challenge will be the Irish End to End, a 400-mile slog from the southernmost tip of Ireland at Mizen Head to Malin Head in County Donegal.

Six of Mr Gage’s family members from different parts of the country will join him on the five-day trip from May 5 to 9.

After a few months’ rest – or more training – Mr Gage will get back on his bike for the Prudential RideLondon 100, which follows the course the Olympic road race took two years ago.

The ride starts at Olympic Park, goes down into Surrey then returns to London, finishing in the Mall.

Mr Gage, a member of Rye Wheelers cycle club, said: “I’ve done bike rides before but not a several day one like End to End. I have been training quite hard. We’ve had a pig of a winter, what with the wet and wind, but I’m just getting into it this month and I’m clocking up the miles.”

Sponsor Jeff Gage here.