A personnel officer from Glasgow is behind an ambitious plan to cycle from Prague to Berlin for charity.

A personnel officer from Glasgow is behind an ambitious plan to cycle from Prague to Berlin for charity.

Tom Ferguson, 26, from Shawlands plans to make the 300-mile trip to raise money for the Children's Hospice Association Scotland.

Along the way, he will be accompanied by six biking buddies - Bob Hossack, 60, from Greenock, Mauro Masucci, 29, from Shawlands, John Angus, 26, from East Kilbride, Shaun McMurchy, 26, from Erskine, Alan Kemlo, 26 from East Kilbride and Peter Hepburn, 42, from Coatbridge.

The team has been preparing for the journey with 70-mile bike rides on Sundays and shorter rides during the week.

Planning to stay overnight in youth hostels along the way, the group will leave Prague on August 19, and aims to reach Berlin on August 24.

Normally, a trip like this would leave the cyclists out of pocket but Northern Marine Management, the employer of several team members, has offered financial support.

The company is also supplying the group with team jerseys and a support van which will follow them on their route.

As well as raising money for CHAS, the trip is dedicated to the memory of Jack Macpherson. Jack, the son of one of Tom's colleagues, died last year from Krabbe's disease, a rare genetic disorder.

Tom and the rest of the group undertook a similar journey last year, cycling from Gothenberg to Oslo, raising more than £10,000 for CHAS.

Tom said: "What we learned from last year was just to try and have fun. We've got a great mix of guys going, so it should be fun."

This year may be more of a challenge for the team, as temperatures are expected to stay above 30C (86F) for the duration of their trip, and the distance from Prague to Berlin is greater than anything they have ever done before.

Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/ praguetoberlin