A man is set to take on the fitness challenge of a lifetime when he cycles one million metres in a bid to raise £10,000 for a Balham charity.

Fitness fanatic, Anthony Powell, 42 lives in St Albans, with his wife Dr Camilla Powell and two young daughters. He also has a 13 year old daughter, Sophia, who lives with her mum in Streatham.

Anthony, who works as a personal trainer wanted to set himself a fitness challenge, whilst raising money for charity. His daughter, Sophia, suggested he raise money for Little Village, a charity where her mum, Angela, volunteers.

“I like to set myself tough physical challenges but I’m also keen to raise money for a good cause. My daughter, Sophia, is passionate about Little Village as her mum volunteers there and she’s seen the difference they make to families struggling to make ends meet, so she suggested I raise money for them.

“I’ve set the fundraising target at £10,000, which is high, but with the support of my fellow gym-goers and the local community, I’m confident we can reach the target. It works out at 1p per metre so if you’d like to sponsor me, I’ll be extremely grateful, whatever the amount."

You can donate to Anthony by clicking here

Little Village is like a foodbank, but for clothes, toys and equipment for babies and children up to the age of five. Families donate items, which are passed on to families who have been referred via professionals like health visitors, children’s centres and midwives

Anthony will be using a fixed ‘Wattbike’ in the gym and anticipates that he will be cycling for 36 hours.

He will cycle all day and night and will only stop to go to the toilet and grab refreshments. The distance is equivalent to cycling from London to the top of Scotland and he estimates he will burn 20,000 calories – roughly the same as running eight marathons. He believes he may be the first person to attempt such a distance on a Wattbike.

"There are big TV screens in front of the bikes so I’ll be watching movies to distract me and keep me awake," he added.

“It would be wonderful to know that this challenge will help Little Village to support families who are struggling to provide the essential items they need to help their children to thrive.”