HALE airline pilot Matt Smythe has set off on a 1000km cycle ride in memory of his rugby loving father Mike, who died from prostate cancer 18 months ago.

Both father and son are former Sr. Ambrose College rugby players and the Catholic grammar school in Hale Barns was one of the stop off points when Matt and the rest of the team set off on March 4.

They also took in Broughton Park and Sale, where Mike also played.

That was followed by the main drag down to Richmond and then Poitiers in central west France, two other places where Mike displayed his rugby skills.

Son Matt, 34, who has three friends cycling alongside with a support team of three further enthusiasts travelling behind, is aiming to raise as much money as possible for Prostate Cancer and Macmillan Cancer Support and also raise awareness of the disease and the need for prompt and professional assessment and diagnosis.

Matt said of his dad, who died aged 71: “My dad wanted to live and had gone to seek medical advice, but was only given the rectal digital examination, without a blood test.

"Initially he was told the pain in his back was a slipped disc but it was only when he went to Trafford General for an MRI that they discovered his cancer had spread. Seventy-one-years-old was far too young for a man with such a zest for life.

“I want to raise money for dad and I want to see the places that he enjoyed so much in his life, especially Poitiers where from all accounts he was something of a celebrity, but I also want to make men aware of the need for regular testing and the medical profession realise that men deserve a full service too.”

Both Mike, in the 60s, and then Matt in the 90s, represented St. Ambrose with distinction on the rugby field with Matt saying: “This is where I made my life long friends and how most of us ended up playing together for Ashton on Mersey Rugby Club and l know dad loved the school too.”

St. Ambrose College Director of Sport Nigel Handy said: “I coached Matt but Mike was before my time, but if he had anything of Matt's drive and ambition he would have been a very good player. Everyone at the college fully endorses his campaign to raise awareness of prostate cancer which remains one of society's taboo subjects, but quiet killers.”

To contribute the website is is www.virginmoneygiving.com/ptp1000. They are also on social media Facebook @ptp1000 and Twitter @pedal1000.

The team is planning to complete the trip in just seven days, cycling around 100 miles per day and had already raised nearly £5,000 before departure.