A LEADING professor whose life was saved by staff at the Alexandra Hospital is gearing up for the fund-raising adventure of a lifetime to say 'thank you'.

Prof Barry Wade, a governor of Mencap's National College, will take part in a sponsored solo cycle ride across Australia to raise money for the cause.

And following the premier care he received at the Redditch hospital, he has decided to give half the money raised to its League of Friends.

The ride is scheduled for October and he thinks it will take him about five weeks, travelling from Perth in the west to Sydney in the south.

It will cover more than 2,500 miles and includes crossing the Nullabor desert in extremely high temperatures while transporting an abundance of bottled water.

Mr Wade will be keeping in touch by satellite so members of the League of Friends can track his progress.

A league spokesman said: "With your help, this could be an excellent fundraiser for both Mencap and the League of Friends. We are so grateful to Professor Wade for supporting us with this exciting challenge."

Mencap teaches young people with learning difficulties the skills that are essential for a successful transition to adult life.