No mountain will be too high for a Sidmouth dad when he cycles up Sidbury Hill 51 times for a cause close to his heart.

Sidmouth Herald: Tim Hammond's son ConnerTim Hammond's son Conner (Image: Archant)

The epic task – a climb equivalent to the height of Everest and a horizontal distance of 183 miles – is set to take Tim Hammond at least 13 hours and he hopes family and friends join him to boost his spirits.

He is fundraising for type-one diabetes research charity JDRF after his 15-year-old son, Conner, was diagnosed with the condition last year.

Tim, who works in Woolbrook News and his brother-in-law’s shop in Exeter, said: “I’ve wanted to do this challenge for while and give something back after his diagnosis, so I decided to combine the two. Sidbury Hill isn’t a steep climb, but when you’re doing it over and over again for hours and hours, it’s going to be tough – both mentally and physically.

“Nobody else will do the whole amount but I hope my friends and family will join me for a few sections to get my mind off my pedals going round and round.”

‘Everesting’ is a popular pursuit in the cycling community all over the world but is less common in Devon and Tim thinks his challenge will be the first on Sidbury Hill. To be a success, he must climb all 8,848 metres in a single day and take the same route up and down. He will cover the same stretch of road 102 times so plans to start at around 4am on Saturday, June 17.

“The distance will be tough,” added Tim, 35. “It’s more than most people go out for because of the sheer amount. I’m training to get used to all that time in the saddle.”

Of his son’s condition, he said: “The little things you take for granted, like popping into a shop for some crisps, he can’t do. He has to find out how much carbohydrates are in everything and then inject appropriately. It’s manageable but it’s horrible.”

To sponsor Tim, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Tim-Hammond5.

There are also collection boxes at Woolbrook News and Cycle Service.