HE ADMITS to having a terrible sense of direction but that isn’t going to deter Reece Gledhill from cycling around the world.

The 23-year-old is planning a ten month trip across continents to raise money for the Scouts Association and UNICEF.

His 24,000 km journey will test his endurance across challenging terrain in temperatures ranging from 50 degrees to minus15.

Reece, who has been involved with the Scouts Association since the age of six, is now a leader at the 16th Airedale Scout troop in Yeadon.

A PADI Divemaster, he has just returned from two years travelling, and decided he wanted to do something that would make a difference in the world.

He has decided to raise money for UNICEF after seeing for himself the vital work the charity does.

Reece, who plans to set off in February next year, said: “My route will see me spend around 10 months travelling through Europe, crossing into Asia via Turkey, into Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Mongolia, Russia, Canada and the USA (including Alaska). In many places I will experience sub-zero temperatures and roads that are, well...not roads.

“My bike will weigh over 30kg and I will burn in excess of 6000 calories every day making it a constant battle to keep well fed.”

He added: “I am an average bloke with a terrible sense of direction and a tendency to get sidetracked quite easily. That can only bode well for a trip around the world on a bicycle.”

Despite his poor sense of direction he has managed to find his way home again after working and travelling in South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand. During his trip he cycled solo through New Zealand and with a friend around Tasmania.

His planned around-the-world expedition will be completely self funded and will see him cycle through mountains, deserts and cities. All the money raised will be split 50/50 between the two good causes.

Visit www.worldwidecycle.org to find out more or to donate.

Reece is being supported by Big Red Bikes with discounted products and advice. His will be making his journey on a Stanforth Kibo, provided by Simon Stanforth, the designer of the bike, for a reduced price.

He described the two charities he is raising money for as “fantastic.”

“UNICEF works with some of the poorest children around the world and having seen some of the poorest areas in SE Asia and meeting the children there I can testify to how amazing the work they do is,” he said.

“As for the Scouts Association, I have been a member since I was six-years-old when I joined the Beavers. The Scouts are an incredible charity, showing children and young people of all ages how to have new adventures as well as teaching them to be respectful members of the community and hopefully creating adults with the skills and fortitude to...well... cycle around the world for a good cause.”