A teenager is tackling one of the country’s toughest cycling challenges in an effort to raise money for a life-changing trip to Africa.

Next month Chris King, a 16-year-old student at Ilkley Grammar School, and his dad Steve, 50, will cycle about 1,000 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats in just 11 days.

The youngster is hoping his efforts will raise thousands of pounds for the Parkinson’s Disease UK charity and for a trip he has planned to Tanzania next year.

The teenager, who hopes to study medicine at university, is heading to Africa for the ‘ultimate’ work experience with three weeks helping out in the 365-bed Regional Hospital in Iringa, Tanzania, followed by a week in an orphanage with children aged three to eight years old.

Chris says he needs about £4,000 for the trip, which will include the costs of flights to Tanzania and injections, but he is ready for the challenge.

“I’m looking forward to it actually,” said the teenager, who is a keen cyclist and hockey player.

“Me and my dad have been cycling about 20 miles most evenings and then a bit more at weekends.

“On the trip, we will average about 85 miles each day, but some days we’ll do just 60 miles and on others it will be 100.

“We’ve both cycled quite a bit, but we’ve never done anything like this before.”

Chris is currently doing his GCSEs, but intends to go to Tanzania next summer after the first year of his A-levels.

He has set up a website to help with the fundraising and revealed his interest in medicine.

“For many years, I have had the dream of studying medicine at university, and wanting to care for and help those seeking medical attention. Although not yet applying for uni, a week’s work experience in Bradford Royal Infirmary highlighted my desire to study medicine,” he said.

“While there (Tanzania), I will spend a week in each area of the hospital, shadowing doctors around paediatrics, internal medicine and general and orthopaedic surgery.”

Go to chrisking.webeden.co.uk for further information.