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Haverhill man Jason André is preparing to tackle the Olympic cycling road race course at the weekend for charity.

Jason, 32, of Eastern Avenue, will cover a mammoth 100-mile bike ride on behalf of Bliss, the UK charity working to provide the best possible care and support for all premature and sick babies as well as their families.

Jason will be tackling the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100, which will start in the new Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, then follow a 100-mile route on closed roads through the capital and into Surrey’s stunning countryside.

With leg-testing climbs and a route made famous by the world’s best cyclists at the London 2012 Olympics, it will finish on The Mall in central London, shortly before 150 professional cyclists race in the inaugural Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic on a similar route.

Jason has been a keen cyclist since he was a teenager, but only got in to road cycling last year.

Spurred on by a charity bike ride that he completed with colleagues from the Castle Partnership Academy Trust, he looked for another challenge and worthwhile charity to support.

The Ride London-surrey 100 was the best option, with a fantastic, but very challenging route.

Jason is not necessarily built like Bradley Wiggins, but approaches the challenge with a sense of excitement.

He said: “The ride will be spectacular and I really appreciated the opportunity to raise money for Bliss as the support they give, not only to premature babies, but also to their families is fantastic.

"As a parent I can only begin to imagine the feelings at that time and having someone nearby to help you is important.”

Jason has been riding with friends, colleagues and family in preparation for the event. He said: “Training has been hard, but also really good fun. I’m most worried about the hills, because there isn’t much natural hill practice in Suffolk!

"I’m really excited about the ride, seeing the sights and following in the path of some of last years Olympic competitors.”

Jason’s family are supporting his ride and have had to put up with lots of evenings without him while he stretches his legs and builds his stamina. His daughter Joni, seven, says “I’m really proud of dad and all of the rides he’s done already. I hope everybody taking part has a good day and enjoys the ride."

Jason is still looking for sponsorship towards the challenge, which starts at 7.30am on Sunday.

If you would like to support the work of Bliss and spur Jason on you can donate via his JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/JasonRide100. You can also follow his progress on the day via his twitter page at www.twitter.com/Jasonthejoker.