A KEIGHLEY man who cycled around the coast of mainland Britain is preparing for his next charity challenge.

Ryan Anderton last year rode 4,800 miles in 42 days, raising £7,000 for mental health charity Mind.

Now he is gearing-up for another mammoth adventure.

He aims to cycle from Nordkapp, at the very northern tip of Norway, to Europe’s most southern point at Tarifa near Gibraltar.

The 4,200-mile trip, in July, is scheduled to take 20 days.

Ryan’s Ride Across Europe initiative will take in countries including Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Switzerland, France and Spain.

He will face a total ascent of over 226,000 feet.

Ryan hopes his effort will raise awareness of mental health and suicide prevention, whilst at the same time boosting funds for The Lee Fancourt Mental Health Fund.

Lee, a multiple Guinness-world-record-holding cyclist, took his own life in January last year. He was 40.

Several companies are backing the Ride Across Europe.

The main sponsor is mental health inpatient service provider, Cygnet Health Care.

Other supporters include Morrisons, M&G Stone, Complete Property Maintenance, Bike Nest, Bio-Nature Ltd, EJG Fire-Tech and Plaster-Tech.

Ryan has himself suffered from depression, suicidal thoughts and behavioural issues.

He took-up cycling in 2016, discovering that it helped his mental health.

Before last year’s challenge, he had already completed a Land’s End to John O’Groats ride.

Ryan now gives motivational talks about his experiences.

In March he gave a presentation to staff and service users at Cygnet Hospital, in Bierley, Bradford.

And on Saturday (May 18) he is due to speak at an event in Central Hall, Keighley, organised by the charity Missing Peace Wellbeing and Support as part of Mental Health Awareness Week.

Cygnet Health Care said it was delighted to be supporting Ryan’s latest challenge.

Healthcare division managing director, Nick Ruffley, added: “We recognise the huge importance of raising awareness of mental health and suicide prevention. Ryan’s story is a great inspiration to the staff and service users at Cygnet Hospital.”

To support Ryan, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lee-fancourt-mental-health-fund.