A train driver will be cycling 200 miles from London Waterloo to Wales in memory of his sister who died with a heart defect two years ago.

Alan Fowler, 59, of Bolton Road, Chessington, will cycle to Brecon, south Wales in a bid to raise money for a charity close to his heart and to mark his 60th birthday later this year.

He will raise funds for the Cardiomyopathy Association, which provides information and support to families affected by a heart muscle disease, such as one that caused the death of Mr Fowler’s sister, Vivienne Pollard.

Mr Fowler said: "We were very close. She just dropped dead from being perfectly fine.

"She was jovial, fun and loved rock music. She lived for her grand kids. Her death was a shock to the whole family.

"I never thought that anything could happen to her. We were just brother and sister who thought we would live forever, so this one is for her."

The family man initially planned the cycle ride as a fun adventure after he recalled cycling from Kingston to Brecon in just one day when he was a 15 year old boy.

Mr Fowler said: "Now I am four times as old so I have decided to try again but give myself four times as long. My kids think I am six going on 60. They may be right but Waterloo to Wales it is.

"I have lots of family in Brecon so there will be a few people meeting me up there."

Mr Fowler hopes to cycle 50 miles per day in the charity cycle between June 2 to June 5.

His training suffered a blow last year as he tore a ligament in his right knee and had to have surgery.

He said: "Training has not been as good as I would have wanted it to be but there is a physical and a mental part. I hope the mental part will push me through.

To support Mr Fowler visit virginmoneygiving.com/alanfowler1.