Man begins 3,000-mile bike ride across the US

A businessman is cycling from California to Florida after being inspired by two friends who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

Andrew Manning, 59, from Brent Knoll, Somerset, started his journey in San Diego on 8 March and expects to take about 50 days to complete a 3,000-mile (4,828km) route across the US to St Augustine, aiming to arrive there on 28 April.

He hopes to raise £9,000 for the charity Cure Parkinson's after friends Julie Evans and Richard Evans, no relation, were diagnosed with the condition that affects the brain and leads to symptoms including body tremors.

"It is a very personal quest and a quest for many many people I don't know," Mr Manning said.

One of the friends who inspired Mr Manning to take on the cycling challenge is Julie Evans.

She said she had been "devastated" by her Parkinson's diagnosis.

"All other illnesses I'd had up to that point had been treatable through surgery, rest, physiotherapy or antibiotics," she said.

"Five years down the line, I have learned how to manage my medication by planning each day, finding time for exercise and keeping in touch with friends.

"Having a busy social life improves my energy levels and general mood," added Ms Evans.

Helen Matthews, chief executive officer of Cure Parkinson's, said: "Fundraising support is absolutely critical for the charity to enable us to achieve our goal.

"We aim to cure Parkinson's and the only way we will do this is through the help of all our incredible supporters."

Parkinson's UK figures show that more than 144,000 people in the United Kingdom have the disease.

It forecasts that by 2030 the figure will rise to about 172,000.

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