A DEDICATED father is helping to raise money for a school playground by taking part in a gruelling 100 mile cycle ride from London to Surrey.

Andy Hey who is a site manager at Wildridings Primary School will be cycling with thousands of riders in the Prudential RideLondon on Saturday August 3 to 4.

The father-of-three has tried to enter the ride for three years and this year, he successfully entered.

Mr Hey said: "I hope it is not going to be as hot as it has been this week.

"I think it should go okay. The training has been the hardest part as there will be hills along the course but my children is what is keeping me going.

"They always say where are the medals, so I will be aiming to get a medal when I complete the Prudential RideLondon."

The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) has helped support Andy by purchasing a bike suit raising awareness of the school and will be putting him up in a hotel before he sets off on the ride at 7.30am.

Andy has taken part in charity fundraising events in the past, taking part in the London to Brighton cycle ride for the homeless charity Shelter and charity triathlons.

He added: "I am quite excited because my friends are planning to cheer me on as I cycle through Weybridge and my wife is looking to find a place to support me as well."

Simon Cope, headteacher at Wildridings Primary School, said: "He has always wanted to do it and describes it as a London marathon but for cyclists.

"I am sure he will do amazing and I just want to give a big thank you to Andy for doing it, he is a braver man than I am."