A DETERMIND man is set to take on a mammoth cycling challenge in aid of a type 1 diabetes charity.

Robert Phillips lost his mum due to the complications that come with type 1 diabetes when she was just 48, and the 37-year-old was diagnosed with the same condition just eight months later.

And now the Whitehorse Avenue resident and dad-of-two will take on the Prudential Ride London in aid of JDRF.

The challenging ride will see Robert cycle 100-miles through the countries capital.

He said: “Diabetes treatment has come such a long way in recent years, and hopefully the money I raise can help that.

“I have been on an insulin pump for three years now, and it has helped me a lot.

“That treatment wasn’t around when my mum was suffering, and who knows but if she had had the treatment I get she still might be here today.

“I just want to continue helping the research, in the hope that one day there is a cure.

“Having to watch her suffer has inspired me in many ways to do as much as I can while I still can.

“And it has helped me a lot, I am quite fitness centric anyway, but seeing her struggle made me determined to take care of myself. Having young children, I don’t want them to be in the same position I was.”

JDRF are committed to eradicating type 1 diabetes and its effects. They fund research approved and administered by an international research programme, make sure research moves forward and support people and families suffering.

Robert completed a similar Essex 100 in 2015, but is looking forward to taking on the 100 mile ride through the streets of London.

He added: “I am quite a keen cyclist anyway and I applied to take part through the ballet. I didn’t get in, but then starting receiving all these emails about charities I could take part for, including JDRF.

“It will be a challenge, but I have done this kind of thing before, I did the Essex 100 in 2015.

“Last year I did a lot of obstacle races, and actually ended up competing in the OCR UK Championships which I am exceptionally proud of.

“The race will be quite an experience, you start at the Olympic Park and goes along the Mall, they get a big crowd like the Marathon so the atmosphere should be amazing.”

Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Robert-Phillips8