Town fan Mark Elmy will be embarking on the English Coast to Coast ride from this Friday in aid of the Orchid Appeal. Mark expects to complete the 210-mile ride in four days.

Mark lost his brother Matt, another Portman Road regular, to testicular cancer in February, a day before his 32nd birthday, and says the ride is a tribute to him: "He was immensely strong, surviving huge amounts of chemo and going into remission twice in the two-and-a-half years he was ill.

"I wanted to do something for him, for his memory. I wanted a challenge, and I could think of no better one than the coast to coast."

The Orchid Appeal is the charity with which former Blue and testicular cancer survivor Jason Cundy has strong links. It is dedicated to funding research into the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of both testicular and prostate cancers and increasing public awareness of these previously neglected diseases.

Matt was a Town fan since first watching the Blues in the FA Cup victory over Hartlepool in 1978 and was subsequently the club mascot when Bobby Robson's side faced QPR.

Matt and Mark were also members of Ipswich band The Jeffs in the late nineties and once played a Bring Back the Old Bluey benefit concert in support of TWTD's ultimately unsuccessful campaign.

To donate to the Orchid Appeal via Mark visit " target="_blank">https://www.bmycharity.com/V2/coasttocoast2005.

Photo: Action Images

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