A MAN has organised a charity cycle after being inspired by his friend's battle against a potentially deadly disease.

Jacob Bacon, 29, from Chipping Norton has organised the 450 mile cycle route raising money and awareness to help sufferers of testicular cancer.

Mr Bacon settled on the cause whilst in The Netherlands, where he met Jorn Laponder who suffered from the disease.

Mr Bacon said: "I met a young guy and now good friend, Jorn from Utrecht, that had testicular cancer and beat it. "His strength and courage to defeat the illness has been my inspiration to make this ride happen.

"Whilst he was telling me his story of his battle with cancer I suddenly realised it had been months since I had checked myself.

"It was at that moment I knew that I had to do something to raise peoples awareness of this often forgotten cancer.

"Too many men are still dying from this awful illness, so let's get to know the risks, check ourselves regularly, and give ourselves the best chance of survival we can."

Mr Bacon is cycling with two of his co-workers at Topiarus Horticulture which plan and design gardens.

He is hoping that others will join him on stages of his journey, which he has called Have You Got The Balls.

He is hoping to raise £4500 during the cycle which begins at his cycling club in Hook Norton and ends in Utrecht where Mr Laponder lives.

Mr Laponder had testicular cancer in 2010, but his early diagnosis meant that the cancer did not spread.

Mr Laponder said: "I want to thank Jacob for this wonderful initiative Have You Got The Balls.

"I feel truly honoured that the inspiration for this project lies within my story.

"I want to advise all young boys to check every day, and to not feel ashamed to go to the doctor if you feel something strange."

The first stage is from Hook Norton to Windsor on Friday April 21, with the group travelling to Royal Tunbridge Wells on the next day.

The Sunday sees them reach Dover before reaching Roubaix in France on the next day and Antwerp a day later.

The trip concludes in Utrecht on Wednesday April 26.

To sign up or to donate, go to http://moteam.co/haveyougottheballs