Olympic rowing silver medallist Acer Nethercott has spoken of his motivation for cycling the length of the country. 

Acer will pedal from Land's End to John O' Groats this month in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, a cause close to his heart, for his friend Steve Churchill, from Broxbourne, who suffers from the disease. 

The Olympic rowing GB eight team cox is getting into the saddle on Wednesday September 10 to undertake the gruelling marathon with two friends - fellow GB rower Alice Freeman and fellow Oxford rower Hilary Powell - to raise funds for the trust and also Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). 

He explained: "I got to know Steve when I came to Broxbourne, having done my GCSEs at my school in Harlow. 

"We met on the very first day and have been firm friends ever since. 

"I was best man at his wedding when he got married in 2005 and we still see each other on a regular basis whenever I am back in Oxford, where I live and train, or sometimes when he and his wife pop up for the day.  We also speak regularly, once a week or so, on the phone." 

Steve and his brother Philip, who also suffers from the condition, have rarer genes than most cystic fibrosis sufferers and do physically better, but have to be careful about cross-infecting each other at family  get-togethers. 

Their parents, Rob and Jane Churchill, live in Ivy Bridge, Broxbourne, and Steve married Helen at Hertford Baptist Church. 

Acer, whose mother Glynis taught science at Sheredes School in Hoddesdon, said: "Having been best friends with him for over a decade now and knowing his family too, when I was thinking of doing Land's End to John O 'Groats post-Olympics, it seemed like the obvious thing to do it in aid of the trust." 

To sponsor Acer, visit

www.justgiving.com/hilsaceraliceftrust or www.justgiving.com/hilsaceralicecry.