INSPIRED by the vital support his three daughters received as premature babies, a Winchester man is cycling across France to raise money for charity.

Simon Jackson, 59, is setting off on a 784km (490-mile) journey on September 5 and plans to spend ten days on the road.

Mr Jackson, an engineer who lives in Sutton Scotney, has taken on the challenge to raise money for BLISS, the UK charity which provides support for premature and sick babies.

His journey will take him from St Malo, the walled port city in Brittany, along the west coast of France to Bayonne.

Mr Jackson said: “A lot of the route is flat, especially the second part. So long as it is not too windy, hot or stormy, I should be fine, but otherwise there could be problems.”

He is travelling solo and will camp in a small tent. His only concession to comfort is an inflatable mattress and duck down sleeping bag.

Mr Jackson said he wanted to do the cycle ride before his 60th birthday and to raise money for a cause close to his heart.

All three of his children – ranging in age from 28 to three-years-old – were premature and tiny. The eldest, Lucy, was born 12 weeks early in 1984 and weighed just 2lbs 2oz – the same as a bag of sugar.

She spent 12 weeks in the special care baby unit (SCBU) at Royal Sussex County Hospital.

Mr Jackson said: “It was very scary but the consultants and nurses did a really remarkable job and absolutely no expense or effort was too much for them. Without a doubt, they saved her life. She would never have made it without them.”

Lucy, 28, now works as a children’s nanny and has just started her own jewellery business, “Lucy’s Charms.”

In 1987, Hannah was born and tipped the scales at 3lb and 15oz. She spent three weeks in SCBU but went on to become a professional dancer and performer before switching careers to property letting.

Finally, his youngest child, Katie, was born in 2009. She weighed-in at 4lbs 10oz and spent three weeks in SCBU at Winchester’s Royal Hampshire County Hospital.

To sponsor Simon visit: justgiving.com/Simon-Jackson8