As you read this, Mr Macdougall is cycling from Cumbria to Tynemouth, part of a charity all-male fundraising team of 16, competing in the coast-to-coast cycle trek.

It's hoped their efforts will raise about £5,000 to be split between St Clare's Hospice in Jarrow and Cancer Research UK.

Mr Macdougall, 43, of Croft Terrace, Jarrow, expressed grateful thanks for all the individuals and companies that have backed the effort. They include his work colleagues at McNulty Offshore, in South Shields, with the company also donating £2,000 from a welfare fund.

In addition, Musgrove Electrical Contractors, based in the yard, gave the team a van in which the bikes were transported to Cumbria.

The Post Office at the Team Valley also loaned a mini-bus to support the two-day trek. And he said thanks also go to members of Park Road Social Club, in Jarrow, for their support.

It's the second consecutive year Mr Macdougall has taken part in the gruelling trek.

Last year he competed in memory of his late father-in-law, John Richardson, and for Jarrow's St Clare's Hospice.

He said: "Last year we competed on behalf of St Clare's, a really worthy local charity, and this year we also are supporting Cancer Research UK, as almost everyone in their lives is touched by cancer.

"I'm really grateful for all the tremendous support I have received.

"In addition to the donation from the company welfare fund, colleagues have been handing over tenners of their own money. It has been tremendous."