A FATHER who suffered devastation when his young son died is to tackle a charity challenge to repay a charity that helped his family.

Sergeant Ben Moody from Catterick lost his son Toby in 2009 when the 21-month-old died unexpectedly in his sleep.

The Moodys were reeling with shock and were struggling to pay for Toby’s funeral so they turned to SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity, for financial and emotional support.

The charity stepped in and helped with the funeral costs and now, eight years later, Sgt Moody is hoping to give back to the charity.

He is raising money by taking on ‘The coast to coast… and back again’ challenge - a 312-mile return cycle ride from Newcastle to Whitehaven.

Sgt Moody, 38, will be joined on the epic ride by his brother Matthew and has already raised an incredible £4,284.70 ahead of the cycle on July 24.

He said: “In 2009 my little boy Toby passed away in his sleep, and ever since I have been trying to help other people who have tragically gone through the same thing that my family has been through, and are still going through.

“This year I want to give something back to SSAFA and help raise money to help others like they helped me and my family.

“I’ve been searching long and hard for ways to raise money and I’ve decided that I’m going to be cycling 312 miles self-supported across the width of England, not once but twice and I will be joined by my big brother Matthew.

“I have pledged to SSAFA that I will raise them £5,000.

“This was the amount they gave me to pay for Toby’s funeral, so if something terrible like this happens to others I would like to know that there is money available to help them.”

To sponsor Sgt Moody, visit www.justgiving.com/ben-moody2