A year after Andover Advertiser sports editor Kerry Miller was forced to use a walking stick to get around, he is set to make a charity bike ride from John O'Groats to Land’s End.

Arthritis in his knees had taken its toll and from being 14st and fit enough to regularly do 10,000m training runs and walk 30 miles along the Ridgeway, the 49-year-old gradually became less active and more sedentary - and his weight began to rise.

He said: “The pain from the knees was such that if I could avoid walking I would and things just got steadily worse as the years went by."

Then with his weight having reached an all time high at 23st two years ago, an exploratory operation to assess the extent of the damage revealed the shocking truth.

He said: "The surgeon confirmed that in his opinion if I remained at that weight my joints would not support me for much longer and that I would at best be on sticks, and at worst in a wheelchair within a year."

The prospect of being a wheelchair-bound sports editor did not appeal and so began a project which will culminate this August in a sponsored cycle ride from John O'Groats to Lands End to raise funds for Naomi House Children's Hospice, near Andover.

Kerry said: "The fitting of a gastric band last year kick-started a weight loss campaign and although the band ultimately failed, a fitness regime based at Andover Leisure Centre has carried on the good work and I am now happily addicted to training, and in particular, cycle spinning.

"I discovered spinning last summer and love the feeling that I am now fit enough to enjoy it."

Kerry's daunting ride begins at John O'Groats in mid August and will last around 18 days, ending on September 5, his 50th birthday, at Lands End.

On the way he will not be abandoning his roots as he intends to watch football matches as diverse as Wick Academy and Truro City where he will be hopefully collecting shirts or footballs to auction to raise more funds.

The route will include Loch Ness, Gretna, the Lake District, the Welsh Marches and the Somerset Levels where he will be able to pop home to East Lyng for a cup of tea before the final push to Cornwall.

A ride of this type will be supported as well as sponsored and Kerry is looking for as much help as he can.

He said: "Naomi House Children's Hospice is a wonderful place which exists solely through public donations and provides care and solace to around 200 families a year. I want to raise as much cash I can but also need help to complete the ride."

Kerry is looking to borrow a suitable vehicle which will be able to carry three people, three bikes and a tent as well as the usual everyday stuff.

He is also looking to borrow a couple of spare bikes to back up his own. The whole trip will be immortalised on camera and a book will follow which will include acknowledgements of all sponsors in the form of advertising space, again all proceeds from which will go to Naomi House.

Kerry can be contacted at the Andover Advertiser on 01264 321208 or on 07702 502039. His e-mail address is kerry.miller@andoveradvertiser.co.uk