SIMON Hood lost both grandfathers to Alzheimer's and still vividly recalls their deterioration before succumbing to the illness.

Now the 26-year-old York man, from Thief Lane, wants to help find a cure by cycling from Land's End to John O' Groats to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society's York branch.

The former Fulford School pupil is taking the long route - clocking up some 1,300 miles - by travelling east of the Pennines, so he can call in at York en route.

He intends setting off in early August and returning to York by the middle of September.

He hopes to stay for free as much as possible along the way. "So far I have guaranteed beds/sofas/floorboards in Derby, York, Durham, Kelso, Edinburgh and Perth," said Simon, who is currently working at CPP.

"Apparently, I can stay on campsites for free with a covering letter from my charity; elsewhere I will try to state my case and play on British hospitality.

"This will form one of the main strands of a book I intend to write about my experience."

Simon has been getting into training, going on a couple of long rides, and running whenever he can.

"I am, to be honest, vastly unfit at the moment, but I intend to rectify this over the coming month."

Simon said there had been some evidence of an hereditary element to Alzheimer's. "So you could say I have a vested interest in helping to find a cure.

"I've no idea how much I will raise. This depends entirely on the generosity of people I know, meet along the way and, hopefully, that of some of your readers."

He said anyone wanting to sponsor him should send cheques made out to Alzheimer's Society York Branch, to: York Alzheimer's Society, The Retreat, Heslington Road, York.

Updated: 10:00 Tuesday, July 08, 2003