A MAN who lost his “much-loved” dad to a brain tumour has completed a 300-mile off-road cycle challenge to help find a cure for the devastating disease.

James Potter, from Shirrell Heath near Bishop's Waltham, pedalled his trusty mountain bike an average of 60 miles a day over a five-day period.

He started out from the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the University of Plymouth on the morning of Tuesday June 4, finishing on the morning of Sunday, June 9 at the charity’s Centre of Excellence at Imperial College, London.

READ MORE: 76-year-old "Jane the Bike" cycles 1,000 kilometres for charity

(Image: James Potter)

The ride, which entailed climbing over 22,000 feet - more than the height of Mount Kilimanjaro - has raised more than £12,200.

James’ previous two cycling challenges raised a further combined total of £10,000 for Brain Tumour Research.

James was 17 when he lost his dad Anthony Potter in September 1988, aged 50, to a brain tumour.

Anthony, a director of the Storage Advisory Centre in Southampton, had initially been diagnosed with a malignant melanoma and had surgery to treat the cancer.

(Image: James Potter)

He was given the all-clear, enjoying a number of years of good health. However, the cancer metastasised to his brain, causing multiple inoperable tumours.

James, a father himself, said: “Dad’s brain tumours were terminal. The only treatment they could offer was palliative radiotherapy. When he received the devastating diagnosis, I was just 17.

“Dad was a typical, traditional father-figure and family man. He was driven, dynamic and full of energy, and we all looked up to him.” 

Anthony died on 30 September 1988, at home with his loved ones at his side.

(Image: James Potter)

James added: “I really wanted to make a difference and to do it in Dad’s name. He’s always in my thoughts.

“I definitely had to dig deep and keep my dad in mind. I am so grateful for all the support from friends and family putting me up overnight en-route and my roadie John for driving the chase car and catching up with me a few times each day.” 

One in three people knows someone affected by a brain tumour and in the UK 16,000 people each year are diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Louise Aubrey, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “We are grateful to James and his network for their support.

"It is particularly poignant that he chose to cycle between two of our Centres of Excellence, finishing at the Centre where there are tiles dedicated to the memory of his dad Anthony on the Wall of Hope."

Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK.

It also campaigns for the Government and the larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure. 

Donations are still open on James’ fundraising page at justgiving.com/page/jamespotter24.