A 2,000KM cycle challenge through mainland Italy and Sicily lies ahead for two friends from Pewsey Vale who are hoping to raise £10,000 for Alzheimer's Society.

Ben Higham, 39 of Easton Royal, and Darren Tapper, 47 of Pewsey, will hop onto their saddles next April, riding for two weeks from Brennero on the Italian-Austrian border to Trapani on the western tip of Sicily.

Mr Higham chose Alzheimer's Society as his aunt suffered from the condition and this has spurred him on to take part in the Italian Cycle Challenge.

"I am determined to push through the pain and do it for her and many others who have to endure this terribly sad condition," he said.

"That is what is motivating me and spurring me on do complete this challenge. I am a bit apprehensive but it should be a great adventure.

"She had a real zest for life but her final years were a sad and difficult time for her and her family.

"I decided to take part in this challenge for Alzheimer’s Society because we need to find ways of identifying early signs of Alzheimer’s, particularly in younger people, so that timely treatment can commence.

"I am really pleased to be raising funds to help support people to live well with dementia and to fund research to one day find a cure.”

The route is largely downhill at first, descending down the Dolomites, followed by a more difficult stretch from Parma over the Appenines to La Spezia. The pair are even learning Italian in preparation for their adventure too.

The painter and brick layer duo completed a 1,600km cycle from John O'Groats to Paris in 2010, where they raised around £3,000 for the charity Children with Leukaemia, and together they hope that that experience will put them in good stead for their next challenge.

"We are really buzzing for this, it should be a great but very exciting challenge as it is a beautiful country," said Mr Tapper.

"The training will kick off after Christmas as it is easy to get tempted by all the food during that time but come January we will put the miles in.

"We did the John O'Groats to Paris ride and that was relatively straight forward. We did that fine so I am confident we can do the same here.

"I think the hardest bit will actually be learning the language as we will need to communicate with people at times where to go."

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