TROWBRIDGE husband Mark Hobbs is preparing for a gruelling 100-mile cycle challenge in August to raise money for bowel cancer, after his wife was diagnosed with the disease 18 months ago.

The 49-year-old, who lives in Westbourne Mews, decided to fundraise for the charity Beating Bowel Cancer in support of Liz, who was diagnosed with advanced bowl cancer in 2013.

Mr and Mrs Hobbs had signed up to take part in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 together, but chemotherapy treatment has prevented Mrs Hobbs from training, so she has been forced to miss this year’s race.

Her husband, who took last year off work to look after his wife, will be part of Beating Bowel Cancer’s team of riders taking part in the event, which is being led again by former England Rugby star Matt Dawson.

Keen golfer Mr Hobbs said: “Liz was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer in 2013 and she has gone through a hellish eighteen months with major surgery and chemotherapy.

“Golf has always been our sport of choice but we decided to take up cycling in order to help Liz’s fitness during her illness. We’ve really got into it now and both signed up for the race.

“Unfortunately Liz recently had to have more chemotherapy and has been unable to train so will have to give it a miss this year. So I’ll be cycling for both of us on this occasion.”

The 190 cyclists on the BBC team aim to raise a combined total of £250,000. The charity relies entirely on donations and the money raised will help them to fund their range of vital services that give help, hope and reassurance to all those affected by bowel cancer.

The Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100, which has been nicknamed the ‘marathon on wheels’, takes place on August 2 and Mrs Hobbs and the rest of the team will be joining tens of thousands of cyclists for the challenge.

It starts at the Queen Elizabeth II Olympic Park, heads through central London and Surrey and includes the gruelling Box Hill circuit, before finishing on the mall.

Mr Hobbs, who works for Cadfan Developments in Corsham, added: “I’m not exactly built like Bradley Wiggins, but what I lack in aero-dynamics I make up for in determination so I’m confident I’ll complete the challenge and raise as much as possible for the charity.

“Beating Bowel Cancer does amazing work trying to raise awareness of the disease and supports all those affected by bowel cancer, whether they are patients, survivors or their families, I want to do my bit to help them continue their important work.”

To support Mark’s fundraising effort, visit www.justgiving.com/MarkH15