A COLNE man who suffers from a degenerative eye condition will cycle to London to help fund research into the disease.

Malcolm Redford, 50, will be joined by his son, James, and their friend Danny Rowland, when they set off on the 280-mile trek from his home in July.

Mr Redford has been visually impaired since losing considerable sight in his left eye during a training exercise with the Army when he was 22.

He was diagnosed with ‘wet’ macular degeneration, which causes loss of the central vision, in his right eye three years ago.

It makes tasks such as reading, recognising faces and watching television extremely difficult, but Mr Redford, a keen amateur artist, is determined not to let it prohibit his love of cycling.

He said: “I’m very optimistic about the challenge. We’re going to be taking it quite steady by only doing about 70 miles each day.

“We live on a steep hill so I’ve been getting out on the bike when I can, but I’m planning to do some more regular training.”

Proceeds from the trio’s trip will be donated to the Macular Society.

Mr Redford said: “Before I had macular degeneration I cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats, but this will be my first major cycling challenge since developing the condition.

“I spoke with my wife about the idea and she said: ‘If you are raising money for the Macular Society your destination has to be the London Eye!’ “When cycling I’ve got to be careful and conscious of the problem I have with my eyesight.

“I’m aware that I’m one of a large number of people affected by macular degeneration. In a way this is part of a mission to show that now that I am unable to drive a car, it is still possible to enjoy riding a bike.

“I’m an enthusiastic cyclist and feel it’s a neglected way of getting around. I want to show that even though you have this problem it needn’t prohibit cycling, which is enjoyable and beneficial.”