A UNIQUE motorbike challenge is starting in Liss on Sunday to raise money for Diabetes UK.

Accompanied by two friends on the epic motorbike challenge, Mark Thompson (53), from Whitehill, is setting off from Liss on Sunday on a tour of Britain which will see him clock 2,000 miles in seven days.

The group will ride 264 miles before making their first pit stop at Land’s End on the Cornish coast. On day two, they’ll ride another 445 miles to Buxton in the Peak District. Day three will see them cross the Scottish border and clock another 330 miles to Glencoe before heading on to Eddrachilles for day four. On days five and six, they will ride on to Fort George in the Highlands before heading back down to Otterburn, Northumberland. They will finish with a final 335-mile flourish back to Hampshire on the seventh day of their marathon trip.

Setting himself a £2,000 fundraising target, Mark and the team are raising funds for Diabetes UK, Hampshire Air Ambulance, Pancreatic Cancer and the British Heart Foundation. Mark is raising money in memory of his father, Anthony Thompson.

Mark was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes aged just six.

He said: “It’s the first time I’ve done something like this, but I thought as a keen motorcyclist it would be a unique way to raise money for Diabetes UK, which is a charity close to my heart.

“Packing it all into seven days will be gruelling but it’s for a great cause so I’m looking forward to it. The two biggest challenges will be the good old British weather and traffic but we really hope to do it over seven days. We’re taking the scenic route so it’ll be a great way to catch some amazing views and sunsets. I’ll be taking lots of photos.”

Diabetes UK is the leading charitable funder of diabetes research in the UK, investing around £7m every year to bring about life-changing breakthroughs in care, treatment and prevention. It also campaigns on behalf of all people affected by and at risk of diabetes.

Mark added: “I’m all geared up for it. I’ve even bought a new bike for it.

“We’ve planned the route so we can stay at campsites on the journey. We’ll be having a welcome home party when we get back so that will be a great way to thank our families and friends for all their fantastic support and share our photos.”

To sponsor Mark visit his JustGiving page at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Mark-Thompson87