THE father of Skye Hall set off on a mammoth journey to raise money for the charity set up in memory of his son.

Andrew Hall, from Abingdon, left Blenheim Palace on Saturday with 16 other cyclists as part of a journey called 2Skye4Skye.

The journey will see Mr Hall and the group reach the highest point on the Isle of Skye, Sgurr Alsadair.

Mr Hall hopes to raise £2,000 for cancer research charity Blue Skye Thinking, which has raised £200,000 in its first year of existence.

Five-year-old Skye, from Abingdon, died last August after battling a brain tumour for a year, but passed away from radio-chemo neurotoxicity.

It meant healthy cells in his brain and spinal cord were damaged by a regime of radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Before setting off, Mr Hall said: “I have not done enough training, my hamstrings will be tested, but I’m looking forward to it.

“It’s going to be a challenge physically and mentally. I’m fortunate I’m physically able and it seems appropriate that I take on this challenge.”

Skye’s parents set up the charity Blue Skye Thinking to help research into alternative cancer treatments for children. His mother Sally, 37, and son Jesse, three, waved off the group with family and friends.

The 1024km trek will include a combination of cycling, kayaking, and hill walking.

Mrs Hall added: “It was quite a spectacular sight as the boys in blue were cheered by crowds at Blenheim as they set off.

“Jesse didn’t make it too far after leading the group out but we wish the other cyclists well as they aim to complete the full journey.”

To donate to Blue Skye Thinking visit the charity’s just giving page at justgiving.com/2Skye4Skye-2015.