THE South Devon family of fundraiser Jane Tomlinson will be getting on their bikes this summer for the biggest challenge of their lives.

John Miller, his son Jack, 14, and his daughter Laurie, 11, will join the Jane Tomlinson Appeal's latest challenge and cycle from Istanbul to Leeds.

The 2,500-mile trip will see the trio, assisted by John's wife Janet, join Jane's brother Mike Tomlinson and his family.

The cycle ride is part of a an appeal launched by Jane herself in 2002 to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for good causes.

John, 47, a teacher with Exeter College who lives in Kingskerswell, said he was inspired to join the cycling challenge because of his family ties to Jane Tomlinson.

As her brother-in-law he was cycling with Mike a year ago and was asked to take part in the big challenge.

He agreed not knowing quite what he was getting into.

He said: "Jane was the kids' auntie. That's our family connection.

"More than a year ago we were on holidays with Mike. He suggested we do this bike ride. At the time it sounded like a good idea.

"It's Land's End to John O' Groats three times over. It's a massive bike ride. But we're looking forward to it even if we're a little apprehensive. We'll give it our best shot."

It is the first time John and his children have done such a long-distance bike ride.

He added: "We're walkers really. We've done a few multi-day walks so the children understand this kind of challenges. We did a Mont Blanc round trip walk.

"We've also done 80 miles bike rides in Devon as training.

"We're trying as much as we can while the children are on holidays."

The 2,500-mile cycle journey will start on July 25 and the group are hoping to be back in the UK on August 30.

Mike Tomlinson, Jane's brother, is organising the event in aid of her charity.

He said surprise guests from the cycling world would be accompanying the group on their last 100 miles when they are back in England.

He said: "Every couple of years the appeal looks to take on an exciting new challenge and I think it's safe to say this is just that."

The cycle ride follows on from the highly successful End to End cycle organised by Jane's charity in 2008.

However, Mike insisted this challenge had the potential to become one of the toughest but most inspirational events the Jane Tomlinson Appeal has done in recent years.

The team will cycle through 12 countries, including Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Belgium.

Mike said: "What the kids are doing is amazing. We're going in the unknown in Eastern Europe.

"I'm sure there will be challenges along the way and moments when we'll want to get off our bikes and give up . What we're doing is tough. But I'm sure it will be all right."

Jane Tomlinson was diagnosed with incurable cancer in 2000.

Despite her pain and illness, Jane participated in a number of high-profile endurance challenges to raise money for charity, including a number of marathons, and Ironman Triathlon and a 4,800 mile bike ride across America.

Before her death in September 2007, she had raised £1.85million for charity. Her charity is now aiming to raise £5 million for good causes.