A cyclist who collapsed at home before finding out he had lung cancer is set to embark on a 2,000 mile ride across Australia to raise money for the hospital that cared for him.

In 2013, and aged 68, Ray Duffy, collapsed at his home in Chenies and was rushed to hospital. He had surgery but has not yet been given the all-clear.

To say thank you to the staff who cared for him at Harefield hospital, Mr Duffy has set himself a fundraising challenge to cycle across the some of the most deserted and isolated plains down under.

He will begin his ride in Perth in Western Australia before his path takes him into the desolate Nullabor Plains before finishing his mammoth journey across South Australia in Adelaide.

Now 73, Mr Duffy said he owes so much to the team at Harefield and wants to raise as much as he can for the lung and transplant unit there.

“Harefield opened just over 100 years ago. Harefield Park was gifted to the Australian Government during World War One by the Billyard-Leakes family. It was used for the treatment and care of wounded serviceman and became the first chapter of Harefield hospital.

“I’ve lived and worked in Brisbane before so I thought Australia was the right place to do this. I am a keen cyclist and part of a club when I was younger. I just want to do something to give back to the hospital and I though a charity bike ride would be the right way.

Mr Duffy will ride across Australia alone but says he has received wonderful support from his wife Susan, and his friends and family.

He will begin his adventure on Wednesday and expects the ride to take four to five weeks to complete.

Visit https://www.rbhcharity.org/fundraisers/ray-duffys-australian-cycle-challenge to find out more.