A DOWNEND teacher will cycle the route of a gruelling Tour de France mountain stage to raise money for the cancer charity that supported his late father.

Michael Anderton will tackle L’Etape du Tour, a 152km (94 mile) route with 4100m of climbing, on July 9.

It is exactly the same route that riders will take on Stage 14 of this year’s Tour de France, from Annemasse to Morzine in the Alps, six days later.

Michael, who teaches art at a school in Chippenham, will be part of a Macmillan Cancer Support team and aims to raise at least £650 for the charity.

He said: “The reason I chose to ride for them was the incredible support that they give to families that have loved ones with cancer.

“I also saw first-hand the help that my dad received last year, whilst suffering from and then passing away from lung cancer.

“I have loved cycling since I was a child and, like many people, love watching the Tour de France every July.

“It has been a long held, ambition of mine to ride the Etape du Tour.”

Michael, who cycles most weeks, either on his own or with friends, has been fitting in his training around work, increasing it in preparation for the climbing that awaits on the ride.

He said: “Various evenings and every weekend I have been out trying to ride further each time in preparation, therefore I have become very familiar with all the hills around Bristol, Bath and beyond.

“My wife and children have tolerated me disappearing for hours on end at weekends and then being too tired to be of much use when I’m home.”

Anyone who would like to support Michael’s fundraising can make a donation at

justgiving.com/fundraising/michael-anderton3.

Right: Michael Anderton has been in training for his ride for cancer charity Macmillan.