A POLICE community support officer will cycle 1,000 miles in a bid to raise money for a special course for youngsters with Down’s syndrome.

PCSO Rob Dentry will embark on the journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats this week along with his pal William Cryer. They are aiming to finish the trip in 11 days.

Rob is taking it on to help raise the £5,000 needed for members of the Swindon Down’s Syndrome Group to take part in the Salamander Project, run by Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The course sees participants take on challenges, including swimming across Coate Water lake and abseiling the practice tower at Drove Road Fire Station.

It is not the first time Rob, 31, who has been a PCSO in Highworth for nearly five years, has completed the trek. In 2009 he did it in memory of his friend, John Meyer, 59, who was killed when his bike was in a collision with a lorry a year earlier.

“I know what to expect this time and I have done plenty of training,” said Rob, who regularly cycles 85 miles to Bournemouth when off duty.

“I’m doing it with a friend who I managed to rope in and he is doing it in memory of his sister, who died of cancer.

“I raised about £750 for Wiltshire Air Ambulance last time and now I’m doing it for the Swindon Down’s Syndrome Group.

“I did the Salamander course last year and it was really good – it’s absolutely brilliant for the kids and it would be a shame to see it fizzle out.”

Rob is not sure how much he will raise but is hoping it will go some way to the total needed, while William has already raised nearly £600 in aid of Newbury Cancer Care Trust, which provide support for his sister Alice Walker, who died of cancer in 2010.

To donate to Rob’s cause visit www.justgiving.com/sdsg and to Will’s cause visit http://www.justgiving.com/willcryer