A POSTMAN is set to saddle up and cycle more than 500 miles to raise money for the Stourbridge charity which looked after his friend in his final days.

Steve Gould, aka Steve the Postman, will set off on a five-day challenge in Northern Scotland, riding more than 100 miles a day to raise money for Mary Stevens Hospice.

The postie regularly takes on physical challenges to raise money for charity, and following the support his friend Keith received at the Hagley Road hospice, he said that picking the cause “wasn't a difficult choice to make”.

Steve said: “I’d supported the hospice a few years ago anyway through work, so I’d already got a good idea of the fantastic work the team there do and the support they give to families in difficult times.

“However, when Keith passed away I saw for myself how amazing a job they do, and they made a difficult time that bit more comfortable and easier for those who loved Keith.

“It’s going to be one heck of a challenge, but it’s for a fantastic cause and if the weather’s good it should hopefully be an amazing few days.”

Dan Malin, of Mary Stevens Hospice, said: “Is there anything more wonderfully British than a heroic local postie?

“Steve’s a truly incredible man, and the training that he’s done to get himself ready for this challenge is just astonishing.

“He’s been cycling hundreds of miles at a time, and hanging bags of house bricks off the back of his bike just to get his body in the condition it has to be to even consider something of this magnitude.

“We’ve no doubt he’ll do absolutely brilliant, and we know Keith will be with him every inch of the way – just keeping an eye on him for us.”

To support Steve’s challenge and donate to Mary Stevens Hospice, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/steve-gould-nc500

Steve will set off on his mammoth cycling challenge on Monday, July 3, travelling roughly 520 miles in just five days.