Professional rugby player Adam Clayton, from Budleigh Salterton is gearing up for the gruelling 350-mile Lexus Great British Bike Ride, from lands End to Twickenham. The 22-year-old will complete the four-day challenge in aid of Help for Heroes, Rugby Players Association Benevolent Fund and the RFU Injured Players Foundation.

Adam Clayton, 22, of Lansdowne Road, will complete the four-day Lexus Great British Bike Ride 2010 in aid of Help for Heroes, Rugby Players Association Benevolent Fund and the RFU Injured Players Foundation.

Adam, who plays rugby for Birmingham and Solihull, sets off on September 1 and hopes to raise at least �300 for the charities – and �1.5million as part of a combined effort over five years.

He is keen to drum up more support and hopes people will sponsor his efforts.

The cyclists will arrive at Twickenham Stadium to the applause and appreciation of seventy thousand rugby fans.

Adam said: “I thought it would be a great challenge to raise some money.

“There are going to be a few heroes that are going to be taking part in the first stage, which is going to be challenging and which I am looking forward to.

“The route is going to be the hardest part, with that much mileage.”

Budleigh Salterton dentist Maurice Sims, of Ashbury Dental Care, is supporting Adam’s efforts and the charities set to benefit from the challenge.

He said part of the practice’s community support initiative uses the profits it makes from the sale of toothbrushes and oral hygiene aids to benefit local good causes.

Mr Sims said: “The team at Ashbury Dental Care are pleased to be supporting Adam and the Great British Bike Ride to help raise money for charities such as Help For Heroes.

“We wish him every success and a safe ride from Lands End to Twickenham.”

In a bid to compete the challenge Adam has been in training for the last three months - currently cycling distances of up to 70 miles a day.

During the event cyclists will be expected to pedal 96 miles during the first stage and 77 during the final, sleeping in tents overnight pitched at local rugby clubs.

The route takes the cyclists from Lands Ends to Tavistock, onto Yeovil before heading to Winchester and finally Twickenham.

Adam, who will be cycling with old school friends, is among at least 170 cyclists to take part.

• Sponsor Adam Clayton at www.virginmoneygiving.com