Owner of London-based independent chain The Tool Shop Vin Vara will be donning the lycra as part of the Akzo Nobel team taking on the gruelling Deloitte Ride Across Britain (RAB) challenge in June.
Mr Vara will be taking on a leg of the John O'Groats to Lands End ride, pedalling just over 128 miles in one day. "As I am obviously no Bradley Wiggins, this is a major challenge both physically and mentally," he said, "having only recently taken up cycling and going to the gym it means that I have some serious work to do in order to achieve this personal goal."

Azko Nobel brand Dulux is headlining the challenge as the Official Colour Supplier to the RAB. Building on its Let’s Colour project, Dulux has also pledged to transform the lives of people living in and around 11 local community sites posted en route.

The team of over 100 riders will cycle a total of 960 miles over nine days. The Let’s Colour project will provide up to 1,200 litres of brightly coloured paint to communities along the route, starting at Canisbay, Highland on June 8 and ending at Land’s End on June 16. At each site riders will unveil a plaque to commemorate the occasion and celebrate with local volunteers on their transformation achievements.

Mr Vara will be raising money for home improvement industry The Rainy Day Trust, which cares for people who have previously worked in the industry and now need a helping hand, and the Outward Bound Trust. This charity is dedicated to unlocking the potential in young people through learning and adventure in the wild.

The team are hoping to raise £250,000, which will go towards funding a major redevelopment for the Outward Bound Ullswater centre in the Lake District, as well as funding bursaries for young people from financially disadvantaged backgrounds to attend the programme.

Mr Vara can be sponsored via his Virgin Money Giving page here.