A father is planning to cycle from Land's End to Oxfordshire to raise money for a charity which has helped his disabled son.

John Sammons, from Ambrosden, near Bicester, is planning the 300-mile cycle ride in honour of his only son Kye.

The two-year-old is profoundly disabled after suffering oxygen deprivation during his birth at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital.

Mr Sammons did a similar cycle ride this spring when he raised £5,200 - but hopes to reach an even higher figure when he tackles the route again in April.

And this time, he has persuaded three friends to accompany him on the challenge. Welsh kick-boxing champion Amy Knight-Archer, 19, her sister Claire, 23, and Claire's fitness instructor boyfriend, Kurt Austin, 25, will join the 60-mile-a-day ride.

Mr Sammons decided to undertake the trip after receiving support from Kidlington-based charity Respite Care for Oxfordshire's Sick Youngsters, known as Rosy.

Mr Sammons, 37, said: "When Kye was born, he was given 24 hours to live. He was on life support for 12 hours. Every other night, we were told he was not going to make it.

"We came home on December 22 and we were told if he made it to Christmas, it would be a bonus."

But Kye defied the odds and now his father is hoping his efforts will help boost the charity which has given the family so much support over the past two years.

Mr Sammons and his team are hoping to complete the ride in four-and-a-half days and plan to cross the finishing line at Cornbury Park in West Oxfordshire.

Along the way, they will pedal past Stonehenge, St Michael's Mount and Bodmin Moor. Closer to home, they will cycle through Wantage, along the A420, past Seacourt Tower and through Kidlington.

The garage worker said memories of last year's gruelling journey had not deterred him from tackling it again.

He added: "The first day was good, the second day was all right, the third day it was painful. It was my backside - I have never experienced pain like it - and my wrists, and my legs and my muscles. I am a sucker.

"Without Rosy, I would not be able to work full-time. They come in three to six hours per week and there is a support group as well. There's always someone at the end of the phone for you."

Mr Sammons, who lives with his wife Sarah, 33, added he was looking for a company to donate or sponsor a tandem bike for the ride.

Rosy, which was set up in 2002, provides respite nursing care and support to families of sick children.

To find out more or to donate, see www.rosy.org.uk or call 01865 848696.