Sports supremo Greg Whyte is reaching for the stars to take part in his biggest challenge yet - a muscle-crunching relay ride across America in June in aid of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), the charity of which he is a trustee. 

Greg, 40, said: "Together with three fellow nutters, I'm competing in the Race Across America - RAAM  2008 - which is regarded as the world's toughest bicycle race. 

The route is about 3,043 miles long from Oceanside in California to Annapolis in Maryland.  Each team climbs 108,600ft - which is roughly equivalent to the distance between the Earth's surface and the stratosphere." 

The former Great Britain modern pentathlete is no stranger to demanding charity events - he recently swam the Strait of Gibraltar with Little Britain star David Walliams and Olympic medallist James Cracknell, then cycled 365 miles from Tyneside to London with football pundits Alan Shearer and Adrian Chiles. 

The one-time Ashcroft High pupil, whose parents and brother still live locally, will be accompanied on the RAAM ride by Richard Ball, Clive Middleton and Mat Wilson. 

Richard and Clive are old friends who have taken part in numerous international triathlons with Greg.  Mat is the token youth who will help bring down the average age of the team.  He, too, is a champion athlete. 

Greg, who chairs the school of applied sport and exercise sciences at Liverpool John Moores University, quoted an Austrian adventurer on the tough task ahead. 

He said: "Wolfgang Fasching climbed Everest and won the solo RAAM.  In his opinion, Everest was more dangerous, but RAAM was much harder. 

"So we're asking everyone to help ease the burden of sore legs and bums by supporting the project.  You can make donations at www.justgiving.com/RAAM2008

Greg is passionate about CRY.  He said: "Every week eight young people die suddenly due to an undetected heart disease.  These devastating and tragic deaths are preventable.  CRY is dedicated to reducing the number of deaths and supporting those affected."