A Douglas man is taking on a 1,600 mile cycling challenge to raise money to fight Alzheimer’s disease in memory of his wife.

Stuart McMillan, aged 59, will cycle the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland, starting tomorrow (Wednesday) and hopes to complete the challenge in 25 days.

Stuart is raising funds for Alzheimer Scotland and the Alzheimer’s Society in the Isle of Man. The former civil servant moved to the island 19 years ago from Scotland.

He said: ’The catatlyst for this was my wife, Sandra, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s quite some time ago and she passed away in February 2016 when she was 57.

’It’s a bit of a thank you to the medical staff who looked after my wife back in Scotland but also recognition that I’ve benefitted from working here in the Isle of Man.

’I’m hoping the funds generated either pave the way towards a long-term solution for the illness or assist those families who are affected by their loved ones being similarly affected by Alzheimer’s.’

Stuart is funding the trip himself, with help from local businesses and the Steam Packet is providing him with free travel.

In 2013 he cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats for the charity.

You can donate to Stuart’s local fundraising efforts by visiting mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/stuartmacmilan1