A father-of-two will cycle across Europe less than a year after his colleague died taking part in a charity bike ride.

Neil Brooks-Johnson is preparing to ride from Nordkapp in Norway to Tarifa in Spain – the most northern to the most southern points in mainland Europe.

The 52-year-old will take on the 3,600-mile challenge despite being part of a Land’s End to John O’Groats team in which a woman died after being knocked off her bike by a car.

Sally Preece, a 49-year-old mum from Gloucestershire, died in Scotland as she and Neil were riding with other colleagues from Lloyds Bank, raising money for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Neil is now determined to raise money for the same charity as well as for Children in Need.

The relationship director, who works in Maidstone and lives in Hadlow, said: “It was awful. We had to decide whether to carry on, but we thought she would have wanted us to. Everyone was pleased when we finished the ride, but it felt hollow.

“My view is you’re only here once and you should do things when you can.”

The keen cyclist is supporting the Alzheimer’s Society as his father has dementia and chose Children in Need because Sally had a young son and daughter.

The Guinness World Record for the fastest cycle from Nordkapp to Tarifa was set by British cyclist Paul Spencer in 22 days, 11 hours and 28 minutes in 2013.

Neil aims to complete the route in six weeks, cycling 100 miles a day with one rest day a week, and hopes to raise more than £2,500.

He will be accompanied through nine countries by a two-person support team in a camper van and two pals will cycle with him for the final 10 days in Spain.

A Just Giving page set up by Mrs Preece attracted more than £25,000 after her death, smashing her £4,000 target.

Sponsor Neil Brooks-Johnson and follow his journey via www.nbjtours.com