Teenager's gap year charity cycle challenge

Tom Dunlop is hoping to raise £60,000 for two charities, inspired by his family friend

A teenager is cycling more than 2,600 miles (4,184km) around the UK to visit 60 racecourses as part of a charity challenge.

Tom Dunlop, 19, from Lambourn in Berkshire, began his journey at Newton Abbot Racecourse in Devon and is due to finish at Newbury Racecourse on 28 August.

He is aiming to raise £60,000 for the Injured Jockeys Fund and Diverse Abilities, with the money going towards a hydrotherapy pool at The Beehive Activity and Therapy Centre in Poole, Dorset.

He said: "During my gap year I wanted to challenge myself... and now I'm home it's time to give something back."

Mr Dunlop said he chose to support The Beehive because his godmother's son, Ollie Meyrick, 23, has attended the centre for many years.

Mr Meyrick has Angelman's Syndrome, which is a rare genetic disorder that causes severe physical and mental disabilities.

Tom Dunlop is being supported every step of the way by his mum in the "snack van"

Mr Dunlop said: "I was a bit nervous beforehand - worried if I was fit enough and if the self navigating would go OK.

"Now, I've got going it feels brilliant and I'm loving some of the hills. They don't seem as bad as they looked on the route planner."

He added: "The hardest bit so far is eating enough food, as I need 4,000-plus calories a day.

"My mother is driving the back up van and we try and meet every 20 miles for snacks and water."

His mother, Christina Dunlop, said she was supportive of his gap year plans but encouraged him to do something for charity.

"Little did we know he'd come up with an event that would involve serious logistical plotting and planning and a fitness regime," she said.

"The ironic thing is that Tom has dyspraxia and couldn't ride a bike until he was 11 years old.

"I'm so very proud of what he is aiming to achieve."

(l-r) Ollie Meyrick, Alexandra Meyrick, Christina Dunlop are all supporting Tom Dunlop far right

Ollie's mum, Alexandra Meyrick, said: "The Beehive gives Ollie something truly precious: purpose."

She added: "The centre provides more than just care, it offers dignity, joy, and a sense of belonging. We are eternally grateful to the team there.

"What they offer makes such a difference."

Tom has said that he will equally divide the money he raises.

(l-r) Tom Dunlop has been inspired and supported by Ollie Meyrick