A COURAGEOUS Spa man, who is suffering from a terminal disease, is set to take on the challenge of a lifetime when he cycles around South Africa to raise money for charity.

Mark Hancox, of The Firs, who suffers from motor neurone disease, is planning to cycle 600 miles to raise money for a research programme at Birmingham University into the illness.

The 40-year-old was diagnosed with the incurable disease, which leads to speech, swallowing and breathing difficulties along with paralysis of the limbs, in September 2000 and doctors gave him between 14 months and two years to live.

But on November 16, two years after his diagnosis, Mark will bravely take on the challenge.

Mark's girlfriend, Vicki Hasler, and eight of his friends are also doing the sponsored event, which will take them from Cape Town in South Africa to Port Elizabeth 600 miles away. They will have to cycle around five hours a day to complete the bike ride by December 2, when they are due to return home.

Mark said: "The disease hasn't affected me as much as the doctors predicted. It affects my arms the most, making them ache, so I'm probably going to have to get some specially adapted bars to rest on to help me complete the ride.

"It's going to be hard work but it will be a great achievement for me and will hopefully raise funds to help find a cure."

Vicki added: "Mark is willing to say to the world, 'yes I am suffering with this disease', to try and raise money to help other people who are diagnosed with the disorder in the future. I'm just so proud of him." If you would like to sponsor Mark call him on 01905 795464 or 0777 384 9005.