A Gorsley man told by doctors to "diet or die" has saddled up for a massive charity challenge in a bid to save his life. Business Sales Manager Joe

Snowball will attempt to cycle from John o' Groats to Land's End just months after doctors told him his lifestyle was leading him towards an early grave. The 35-year old tipped the scales at 23 stone when tests revealed a dangerously enlarged heart and other serious weightrelated problems. Medics even predicted he would be dead by 40 unless he slimmed down and started doing more exercise. But the shock prognosis spurred Joe, who works at Bristol SEAT on Feeder Road, into action and he hopped onto his bike and into training. Now he and his close friend Stuart Hopkins are planning to cycle the 874-mile length of mainland Britain to raise thousands for cancer charity Livestrong – the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Training for the challenge has already seen Joe shed an incredible five stone in less than six months, but doctors have told him he must slim down to 14-and-a-half stone in order to take on the challenge in August. Joe is increasing his training from 10-miles-a-day to a bumnumbing 90-miles-a-day in a desperate race to reach his target weight and meet his £20,000 fund-raising goal. A determined Joe explained: 'When I was at my heaviest I couldn't even walk to the end of my garden without being out of breath, but I knew I needed something to work towards and so Stuart and I began talking about sponsored cycle rides. "Initially, we were thinking 10 or 20 miles, or maybe London to Brighton, but the goal kept getting bigger and eventually we ended up settling on John o' Groats to Land's End. "At the moment I'm training at an amateur level but 90-miles a day is moving into the professional bracket and I'm under no illusions how hard it will be. But it's surprising how quickly I've managed to build up to that level. "Best of all, though, it's been great to see the weight drop off and, although there's still a long, long way to go, I alreadyfeel like a different person." Joe and Stewart will attempt to meet their £20,000 fund-raising target mainly through sponsorship, but will also hold a charity auction later in the year. A number of major companies have already pledged highvalue prizes for the auction but the pair are on the lookout for more. They are also seeking backing in the form of cycling equipment. To sponsor Joe and Stuart, or to offer a prize or equipment, please contact Joe on 07525 021635.