Climbing all 4,409ft of the UK's highest mountain Ben Nevis is a big enough challenge in itself, but cycling 500 miles before the climb could well be considered as rather crazy.

But that is exactly what Tim Cave, from East Carleton, near Mulbarton, is preparing to do.

Mr Cave, 46, the husband of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital's director of resources Julie Cave and an accountant by trade, has set himself the challenge to raise funds for the Norwich Cots for Tots appeal.

The appeal is raising money to pay for an additional four cots in the N&N's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which will increase the number of cots to 32, which means more premature and critically ill babies can be cared for locally.

The ride will take place between July 3 and 9, cycling just over 500 miles from the N&N to Fort William in Scotland, before climbing Ben Nevis.

Ahead of his daunting challenge, for which he is targeting raising �2,000, Tim said: 'The plan is to do the ride in a six day period. I'm reliably informed that this is the equivalent of running five marathons, with the added attraction of spending six days on a pointy bicycle seat! I hope the sadists amongst people will donate especially generously.'

The NICU is one of only three specialist neonatal units in the east of England. When the N&N's NICU is at capacity babies have to be sent to the nearest unit in either Cambridge or Luton.

The demand for specialist care is rising as well, with NICU currently caring for more than 850 babies in a year.

NICU nurse manager Amanda Williamson added: 'We're very grateful to Tim for getting behind our appeal and organising this fundraiser.

'We are keenly aware how difficult it can be for families who sometimes have to travel long distances to enable their baby to receive care because all our high dependency and intensive care cots are in use.'

Anyone wishing to support Tim can do so at www.justgiving.com/tim-cave or give a donation in person at the N&N open day and fete on Saturday, June 18, where he will have a darts stall to raise funds for the appeal.

Local Life is published in the Evening News every Tuesday. Have you got a story for editor David Freezer? Call him on 01603 772418 or email david.freezer@archant.co.uk