WHEN Sonia Gerring saddles up for a charity cycle trek later this year, her father will be firmly in her mind.

Miss Gerring, from Abingdon, was devastated when her father Tony died of a brain haemorrhage nearly 30 years ago.

He was an overhead linesman for the electricity board and was just 38 when he died. She was just 10 at the time.

Now the 39-year-old IT secretary and her friend, Helen Grant, will embark on a trek from Vietnam to Cambodia in aid of Winston’s Wish, a charity for bereaved children.

They are hoping to raise £1,500.

Miss Gerring, from Levery Close, hopes the hot conditions of her local gym will prepare her for expected soaring humidity in November, when the pair will take on the six-day, 400km challenge.

She said: “I was extremely close to my dad and when I lost him, I had a lot of questions. I was only 10 years old and back then they didn’t really have bereavement counselling.

“At the time I felt cheated, and it was only in later life that I had counselling and that helped.

“Helen and I were chatting about doing something for charity, and I’m really into my cycling, so this made sense.

“The toughest bit will be dealing with the humidity. We’re keen to see things such as the palaces and killing fields, but the humidity will be 80 per cent.”

She added: “If this money can help just one child who’slost a parent then it will be worthwhile.”

The pair will also raise money for the Make A Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to terminally ill children.

Miss Grant, 29, of Eldridge Close, Abingdon, works in IT sales. She said: “I am a complete novice and have not cycled properly for 10 years so this is going to be the challenge of a lifetime.

“It is a great way to see the country and is for a good cause. My training has meant I go for a cycle after work each day as well as at the weekend.”

bellery@oxfordmail.co.uk To sponsor Sonia go to justgiving.com/soniagerring or to sponsor Helen justgiving.com/helengrant