A lecturer from the University of Wolverhampton set to take part in the world's toughest cycle ride has received endorsements from a TV star.

Mat Wilson, a laboratory director, is in training for the 3,000 mile 'Race Across America' bicycle race and has received £1,000 from Little Britain star David Walliams to start his team's fundraising.  Mr Wilson, an Ironman triathlete, is doing the ride with three team mates and is receiving support from his colleague Professor Andy Lane, who is a sports psychologist. 

Professor Lane is looking at how the four cyclists cope with repeated bouts of hard exercise, and using strategies such as music to help them deal with the challenge.  Also in the team is Professor Greg Whyte, who masterminded David Walliams' channel swim and supported the recent Sports Relief Cross-Continent Challenge for James Cracknell, and Alan Shearer and Adrian Chiles' Big Ride. 

Mr Wilson said: "This race has huge personal and professional meaning to me.  The idea of cycling continuously for 3,200 miles 24 hours a day for six days sounds like pure fun."

The Race Across American, known as the world's toughest cycle ride, is 3,043 miles long and starts in Oceanside, California, on June 11.  The team will be raising money for Cardiac Risk in the Young.