A Bowdon man and his 19-year-old son set off today to cycle 1,000 miles across Britain in memory of a much-loved Altrincham teenager.

Rob Edwards, 52, from Bowdon, and his youngest son Bruce will take part in the Deloitte Ride Across Britain which will take them from John O’Groats to Lands End.

The pair are undertaking the nine day cycle in memory of Bruce’s friend Chadwick Mulholland, a bright Altrincham teenager who died of cancer in 2008.

“Chad was an absolutely remarkable young guy and all of us miss him terribly. Him and Bruce were the best of friends and we decided it would a wonderful idea to do something in his memory.”

The first ride started at dawn in Scotland and Olympic gold medalists James Cracknell and Rebecca Romero will be leading the 600 cyclists taking part.

Rob and Bruce, an aeronautical engineering student at the University of Bath, have both been training regularly since August in preparation of the event.

Rob said: “I did this 30 years ago and because I wasn’t fully prepared I went through absolute hell! But I’ve been doing a lot of cycling and exercise this time around.”

“It’s a fantastic idea and we’re both really looking forward to it.”

Anyone interested in donating, visit http://hopefunds.christies.org/smartweb/funds/view/16/event/18