Tom Scargill is preparing to jet off to Vancouver, Canada, to start the trip of a lifetime and raise funds for a local charity.

Tom, 29, of Ullsworth Crescent, Newton, has been training for two months by cycling every day to work at Nicholas Wine Merchants in Heswall and will be undertaking the challenge with university friend, Andre Chanavat.

He said: "Basically, it's a trip I've wanted to do since I was a Kerouac reading teenager. It's part adventure, part pilgrimage, taking in some of the cornerstones of my personal holy trinity – music, cycling and wine.

"Andre, my best friend from uni, happened to be in Chester on the same day I was given an enforced transfer in work.

"He was here to say au revoir as he was going on a far out cycling trip down the west coast of America and after a few glasses of wine it was decided I would join him.

"After making the decision I always intended to raise some money for a worthy cause. My friend, Helen Field, started working for Claire House about two months ago.

"She invited me to help her with the Claire House stand at the Wirral Show and after finding out about the charity that weekend my choice was easy."

Tom and Andre were also inspired to take another travelling companion after reading an article about a gnome who was kidnapped from the owner's garden and travelled the world.

"They will take with them Claire the Bear, a replica of the hospice mascot, who will provide a blog of the journey and allow children at the hospice to check up on their travels."

The duo will make the journey from Vancouver to Tijuana, Mexico, staying in camp sites along the way, and expect to complete the trip in two months.

Claire House cares for more than 240 children and their families from Cheshire, North Wales and Merseyside. All the children have life-limiting or life-threatening conditions and the hospice offers respite and palliative care.

For details or to make a donation visit www.charitiestrust.org.members_data/event/scaggersusa08