Jon Harle is to cycle from Tyneside to Tayside to raise money for a cancer charity after his grandson Ezekiel King was diagnosed with the disease.

Retired radio host’s bid to raise £5k going from Tyneside to Tayside

The grandfather of a Kinross boy who is bravely fighting cancer, will cycle from Tyneside to Tayside next month to raise money for charity.

Ezekiel King was diagnosed with the disease earlier this year and after a successful operation in Edinburgh a few weeks ago, the two-year-old will spend the next few months at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee receiving chemotherapy.

The hours spent travelling have caused parents Katy, a bike mechanic in Kinross, and Stephen, a head chef at Uisge in Murthly, to drop hours at work to care for their child.

Tayside Children with Cancer and Leukaemia (TCCL) stepped in with an unannounced donation of £500 to ease expenses associated with the journeys.

Grandfather Jon Harle a former BBC local radio presenter, will soon set off on a near 300-mile cycle to raise money for the organisation to thank members for their kindness.

After starting a fundraising page, ‘Ezekiel’s Journey,’ the 60-year-old has almost doubled his target of £2,500.

He will set off from Newcastle on June 4 and is attempting to reach Ninewells within five days.

Despite recently retiring and never undertaking such a journey before, Mr Harle is hopeful regular training will pay off to complete the trek on time and smash the £5,000 mark.

“I have already cycled 750 miles this year and try and get out two or three times a week to do 30 to 40 miles each time,” he said. “It’s a long way but it’s nothing compared with what Ezekiel is going through.

“After his mum and dad had to cut down their hours in work, they needed a whole lot of money. Then when TCCL stepped in, I was determined to repay them for the practical and emotional support they’ve offered. We are now hoping we can go past £5,000.”

Hazel Melrose of TCCL, said: “What they are doing is wonderful.”

To donate go to https://mydonate.bt. com/fundraisers/ezekielsjourney

Jon says his challenge is nothing to what Ezekiel faces.