FORMER John Kyrle High School student Jai Caorthann is preparing to cycle round the circumference of Ireland on a unicycle in memory of his school friend who died from a brain tumour.

Jai, 19, came up with the unique challenge after his friend Joshua Davies, 17, died in September 2009.

He said: "I had some great times with Joshua. He was a great lad, very funny and with a huge heart. I only found out towards the end of his life the struggles he had been through with his health. He never complained."

Jai told the Ross Gazette: "It wasn't until after Joshua died that I realised how underfunded research into brain tumours in young people was. So I wanted to raise as much money as I could to help with research and also raise awareness at the same time."

Jai has been riding unicycles since he was ten and so decided to put his skill to good use. He plans to complete about 60 miles a day on his unicycle meaning he will be in the saddle for a gruelling seven hours at a time. He will have no back-up crew and will be carrying everything on his back, including his tent.

He leaves for his trip on July 6th and hopes to complete his 1,000 mile journey within 21 days.

You can support Jai's fundraising by making a donation online at http://www.justgiving.com/one-wheel-one-island">www.justgiving.com/one-wheel-one-island