Clarets fan John Binns is preparing to take on a mammoth challenge to cycle over 350 miles… in three days!

And the feat was borne out of the heartbreaking loss of his brother, Ed, who died in April after suffering a heart attack at the age of 54.

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“To lose my brother so suddenly, and so young, was a horrendous shock for our family,” said John who is 51. “So I wanted to do something positive to honour his memory.”

Clarets fan John Binns is preparing to cycle 350 miles in three days for charity in memory of his brother Ed who died at the age of 54 earlier this year

John’s Northern Challenge bike ride will take in places that meant something to Ed and also raise money for Diabetes UK, a condition he suffered from. And John, an environmental consultant, has had a special Clarets themed jersey made for the event.

The claret and blue colour represents his team and there are cricket balls on the side as Ed, who worked at Exertis in Burnley, used to love to play. The cow print on the arms represents the Burnley farm John and Ed were brought up on and all the places he will be visiting are featured on the back of the jersey.

A keen cyclist, what makes John’s challenge even more epic is the fact that he fell off his bike after slipping on ice three years ago. As a result he fractured his right hip and it’s now held together with three pins.

He said: “I’ve been in training now for around eight weeks because I know how difficult this is going to be. But this is just the start for me.”

Ed Binns died in April after a heart attack at the age of 54. His brother John is taking on a challenge to cycle 350 miles in three days for charity in his honour

Starting on July 31st John will ride from his home in Lanchester, County Durham, to Hull University where Ed’s son Josh is a student. After an overnight stay John will ride from there to his former hometown with a stopping point at Catlow Hall Farm, Burnley, where he grew up, before visiting his mum Alice in Ightenhill.

The next stop is to see his sister-in-law Charlotte, Ed’s wife, in Lower Darwen, before pedalling to Runshaw College in Leyland where Ed’s youngest son Sam is studying. Day three will be the toughest journey as John, who went to Castercliffe Primary School in Nelson and St Wilfrid’s High School in Blackburn, makes the journey back to County Durham.

John’s wife Sue will be part of the support team and a couple of his pals plan to join him for sections of the ride. John has already raised just over £1,000 for his cause and anyone who wishes to make a donation is asked to click HERE.