12-year-old Jake sets himself an Olympic challenge - to cycle 2012 km to all Olympic venues! (1)

A 12-year-old boy has set himself the gruelling challenge of cycling to all Olympic venues from Glasgow to London - a total of 2012 km in celebration of the London 2012 Olympic games.

 Jake Phipps, from Worcestershire, is aiming to raise £20,012 for two charities which support vulnerable children - Action for Children and Access Sport.

On Wednesday 6 June, Jake will board a train from Birmingham New Street for Glasgow where he will begin his ambitious journey from Hampdon Park on Saturday 9 June and will complete in just five weeks. From Hampdon Park, he will cycle to the Olympic venues in Newcastle, Manchester, Coventry, Cardiff, Weymouth, Windsor, Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent and London. He will also be visiting schools in the venue towns to talk to pupils and teachers about his challenge and the work of his chosen charities. 

Jake is no stranger to cycling challenges. In 2010, he cycled 660 miles from Land's End to Dover and raised £1,500 for Action for Children after being inspired to take up cycling after the Beijing Olympic Games. His forthcoming challenge is double the distance. He said: "I am quite nervous about some of the big hills on the ride but I really want to raise lots of money for Action for Children and Access Sport because they do great things for children who have difficult lives." 

Jake knows just what a difference being involved in sport can make and his mum, Nic Phipps, who will also be cycling the challenge with family friend Philip Woods, said: "Jake has got a lot more confident after getting involved with cycling and joining a club. He is now involved in lots of other sports and it gives him a real sense of purpose. We're really looking forward to meeting a lot of people along the way. Special thanks go to Holiday Inn for providing us with accommodation for a lot of our journey - we really are going to need our sleep!"

Elaine Robinson, Action for Children fundraiser, said: "Jake is a fantastic lad and we are so grateful that he has chosen to support us. Everyone at Action for Children is so excited about this unique challenge and we wish Jake, Nic and Philip the very best of luck and a safe journey across the country. We will all be rooting for them

"In Birmingham and across the West Midlands, we have a number of projects that support vulnerable children and families, disabled children and young carers. The funds Jake will raise will make a huge difference to the children, young people and families we support at Action for Children."

David Boorman, Fundraising Director at Access Sport, said: "Jake is an inspiration to everyone for taking on such an epic challenge. The 2012 km he will cycle this summer shows just what the spirit of this year's games are all about, and Access Sport are extremely proud and grateful that he has chosen to raise money for us. We wish him the best of luck and look forward to seeing him when he reaches the Olympic Park."

If you would like to find out more about Jake's big cycle ride, you can follow him:

On his blog: www.bikewithjake.blogspot.com

On Twitter: @bwj2012

To make a donation, text: JAKE2012 to 70070 or log on to: www.virginmoneygiving/team/bikewithjake