A GROUP of friends are set to cycle more than 3,000 miles across Europe in order to raise money and awareness for charity following the death of their brother.

Roger Thomas, of Ammanford, will be joined by two friends as he aims to cycle from Asia to Anglesey to raise money for a charity battling Hyper IgM, an immunodeficiency disease, the Hyper IgM Foundation.

Roger’s younger brother, Andrew, suffered with the disease.

Hyper IgM syndrome is rare, affecting only 1 in a million people.

Andrew, a former player at Betws RFC, was the world’s longest-surviving patient when he passed away at 54 years of age.

The trio will embark from Istanbul, Turkey, on Thursday, on the eastern side of the Bosporus, before following the Iron Curtain Trail that borders former Soviet countries, and eventually returning to Wales and finishing at Anglesey.

The trip, which will cover 3,400 miles is expected to take around 56 days.

The group will pass through 16 countries along the way, and traverse four mountain ranges on their journey.

Speaking of ahead of their departure, Roger said: “We are all retired now, which gives us the opportunity to pursue an adventure that we’ve talked about for the last few years, and I’m hoping to raise money for Hyper IgM in memory of my younger brother, Andrew. Andrew – or And, as I’ve always called him – was and remains a well-known member of the Hyper IgM community.

“The trip is being entirely self-financed, but I am hoping to raise a significant sum of money in memory of my younger brother, Andrew, to further the work of a charity, Hyper IgM, with which he was closely associated.

“It’s probably not often that a younger sibling is your hero, but And’s zest for life and ability to shrug off the shackles of seriously-debilitating illness were truly inspiring to all who knew him.

“And passed away just over 13 months ago, but there isn’t a day when something doesn’t happen that reminds me of him – and I know that goes for the rest of our large family and all his friends and colleagues.

“And did all he could to help fund research into combatting Hyper IgM syndrome; he would be delighted that this ride is contributing to further research.”

Roger and friends will be blogging throughout their journey so people can keep a track of their progress.

To follow their ride, or donate towards their efforts, visit hyperigm.org/rideforandrew.