A FORMER Catholic High School student is getting on her bike for a charity close to home.

Claire Dignon, 37, plans a 1,000 mile solo cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise cash for Kidney Research UK.

Claire’s dad Alec, of Saltney, has polycystic kidneys and requires dialysis three times a week. He is a long-standing governor of Chester Catholic High School.

Claire, a teacher in Birmingham, used to cycle back and for to school from Saltney but admits that she has lapsed off the saddle since then.

“It is going to be a big challenge. Doing it alone I have had to plan my route carefully. I’ve also become quite a geek about bikes as I’ll have to fix any problems on route.

“The charity means a lot to me as kidney disease has affected members of my family. My dad lost his mother when she was in her 30s so it shows the progress that has been made and how important research is.”

Claire will spend the night of April 18 in Chester en route to Scotland, a night her dad is scheduled to receive dialysis.

To sponsor Claire visit www.justgiving.com/Claire-Dignon or follow her blog at http://diggersjogle.weebly.com.