Man to cycle 1,553 miles for mum who had cancer

Jesper Hartikainen is planning to cycle through nine different countries

A student is planning to cycle across nine countries for a breast cancer charity after his mother was diagnosed with the disease.

Jesper Hartikainen, 22, was in his second year at the University of Bristol when he received a call from his mother, Johanna, to tell him she had breast cancer.

She underwent multiple surgeries and radiotherapy and has since made a full recovery.

Jesper said he was planning to cycle 1,553 miles (2,500km) across nine countries for Prevent Breast Cancer.

Jesper said he was hoping to raise awareness of the importance of check-ups

"I remember it really vividly," Jesper said. "I was in the living room when I saw she was ringing."

He said he felt helpless when he found out his mother had breast cancer.

After finishing his degree in economics at the University of Bristol, he will set off on his bike in July.

He plans to cycle through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

The finish line will be in Helsinki, Finland, where most of his family lives.

His mother, a risk manager in a bank, said she was "incredibly proud" of her son.

"I am hoping that his challenge will help raise awareness of the importance of check-ups which can result in early diagnosis and easier treatment of breast cancer," she said.