Three brothers, who run the Boswell coffee shop chain, are getting on their bikes to raise money for Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund in memory of their father.

Jeremy Burn, who founded the business, died on August 12, two years ago – just weeks after being diagnosed with the disease.

His three sons Nick, 40, Tim, 37, and Matthew, 38, are hoping to raise £40,000 for charity in a 400-mile ride. Their fundraising started with a static bike ride at their shop in Newbury last weekend and will continue in Chippenham on Saturday.

Customers of the Emery Gate shop will be invited to take a spin on an exercise bike in exchange for a donation and will receive a free cup of coffee for their trouble. The person who travels the furthest during their time slot will be rewarded with free coffee for a year.

Nick Burn said: “This is a cause that is close to all of our hearts. I will be in Chippenham on Saturday with my bike and in all my gear. Cycling is very new to me, but we are getting ready to cycle 400 miles between all of our shops over four days from August 20.”

The family owns 15 cafes, including those in Chippenham, Trowbridge and Swindon in Wiltshire.

Nick Burn, who lives in Marlborough, said: “We have set ourselves this target of £40,000, which is seeming rather a lot now, but we raised £500 in Newbury in just a few hours so hopefully people will back us.

“My dad was only 64 when he was diagnosed and had just decided to go into semi-retirement. He had always been very healthy and active so it was a shock when he got the diagnosis. He died very soon afterwards, which in many ways was a blessing for him because he would have hated being ill over a long period of time.

“The three of us brothers who are all directors of the company wanted to do something to raise money for pancreatic cancer.”

The trio will be joined by half-brother Charlie Burn, brother-in-law Nick Jones and three close friends. They will set off from Newport in South Wales on Wednesday, August 20. To sponsor them, go to www.justgiving .com/LeTourdeBoswells/