A FATHER and son duo are aiming to raise hundreds of pounds for charity by cycling 17 miles... on one wheel.

Matt Agar and 11-year-old son Jack will be hopping on to their unicycles and riding from Braintree to Hatfield Forest along the Flitch Way.

The pair, who live in Hoppit Mead, have already started training for the challenge and are hoping to raise money for the Make a Wish Foundation – a charity which supports terminally ill children and their families.

Matt, 41, said: “We’re pretty stupid to be doing this to be honest.

“My wife got me a unicycle as a wedding present and I didn’t really touch it for a few years.

“But Jack took an interest in it one day and has mastered it and I’ve sort of been dragged into doing it from there.

“It’s been a complete roll reversal because it’s been the son teaching the dad.

“Jack seems to be taking it all in his stride but I’m a bit nervous about.

“It’s hard to explain what it’s like riding a unicycle.

“From my point of view, it’s like falling with style!”

The duo have been cycling along parts of the Flitch Way on their unicycles to practise for the challenge.

But having travelled no further than five miles on one wheel so far, they will have their work cut out to complete the ride.

They will be supported by family friend Russell Pryke who will be cycling behind them on two wheels to make sure everything goes according to plan.

Matt’s wife Vicki, and daughters Emily and Kate, will meanwhile be waiting for them at the finish line.

Matt, who is a youth worker and owns Braintree Bike Repairs, said: “I suspect it will take a few hours. But it’ll depend more on how many times I fall off.

“It can be a bit boggy along the Flitch Way which will make things difficult but we’re determined to do it.

“Most of it is downhill thankfully so even if I keep falling off, I’ll be getting closer to the finish line each time.

“At the end of the day it’s for a great cause and however hard it is, it will be nothing compared to what children who are terminally ill go through.

“This ride is about them, not us.

“We want to raise the profile of the Make a Wish Foundation to show the amazing work they do.”

The unicycle challenge comes off the back of Matt’s successful attempt to claim a Guinness World Record.

He currently holds the record for the fastest time to flip and catch a full deck of cards, having completed the challenge in two minutes and 16 seconds.

Despite setting himself another task with the unicycle ride, he admits he may need a break before setting himself another “whacky” challenge.

He added: “I’ve always been into trying mad and quirky things. It seems to have become a bit of a family thing now.

“This will take some beating though.

“I think I’m going to need a bit of a lie down to recover from this one so we’ll have to wait and see what’s next.

“I’d love to swim the Channel one day. That would be amazing.”

n To make a donation, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/flitchwayunicycle2020.