Buckland Hall in Bwlch will be the finishing line for a determined cyclist who is riding 270 miles in memory of a close friend.

Jon Ainley will ride up to the front doors of the country mansion on Saturday, May 21, to bring the curtain down on his four-day challenge which started at the headquarters of The Encephalitis Society in Malton, North Yorkshire.

He has timed the ride to coincide with the charity’s biannual retreat, an event beloved by Harry Swindlehurst, a member of The Society who sadly passed away last year.

“The 270-mile journey has been designed with Harry in mind,” said Jon, who is the charity’s support co-ordinator.

“I am starting at the HQ of The Society and will visit Harry’s hometown of Liverpool which is also the home of the University of Liverpool, a world leader in encephalitis research, before finishing at The Retreat in the Brecon Beacons National Park.

“Harry loved the Retreats at Buckland Hall and campaigned - as only he could do - to make it a four-day event.”

Jon, who also volunteers as a Yorkshire Ambulance Service Community First Responder in North Yorkshire, added: “Harry loved a challenge and would have enjoyed anything that raised the attention of the cruel condition that is encephalitis and The Society itself.

“I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate Harry’s spirit and the charity than the Cycle4Harry challenge. I have some very special memories of my time with Harry at The Retreat. This will be an emotional time, but we will also be celebrating his courage and undeniable charm.”

Jon is raising money for the helpline of The Encephalitis Society which he has worked on for nearly 14 years, supporting thousands of people who have been directly and indirectly affected by the brain condition. The helpline and the support service costs around £40 per hour – adding up to £80,000 which The Society has to find each and every year.

Although the challenge may not be daunting for more experienced riders, it is for Jon who has only been back in the saddle for a matter of weeks after taking a break during the winter.

“I have had only eight weeks to prepare and to reach the 70 miles a day fitness levels that I will need,” he said. “It has been a tough ask and I estimate I have ridden around 1,400 miles in that time. I was lucky in that I started riding with a few local cyclists on a Monday night. Even though I was quite apprehensive, they were and continue to be really supportive of me.”

The father-of-two added: “I am hoping adrenaline and a decent tailwind will help to push me through the fatigue and get to Wales for Harry.”

To sponsor Jon, visit www.justgiving.com/Cycle4Harry