A HALESOWEN man is set to take on a 160-mile bike ride to raise £1k for a mental health charity which helped his son after he suffered life-changing injuries.

Michael Bott is riding from Bristol to Birmingham then to Oswestry to raise money for Mind.

Michael's son Harry had a mental health episode 18 months ago which resulted in him suffering life-changing injuries.

Michael said his son broke his back and numerous other bones when he attempted to commit suicide aged 19.

The 45-year-old father-of-three lives in Halesowen and works for Sandwell Council.

He will be accompanied on the ride by his friend father-of-two Damian Moore, a schoolteacher who is raising money for Birmingham Children's Hospital which helped his son Seth after he was diagnosed with epilepsy aged three.

Proceeds from the ride, which will run from April 2 to 3, will be split between the two charities.

The pair have already raised more than £900 on their JustGiving page.

Michael said: "On his road to recovery, Harry’s journey began at Bristol Hospital where they went to every length to stabilise and secure Harry’s future.

"From here, he was moved to Dudley, Russells Hall and then on to Oswestry.

"Along the way, doctors, nurses, therapists and many more people have played a part in Harry’s journey, and have helped to turn what were the darkest days for our boy, and our family, into a hopeful and happy future for us all to focus on."

Michael said his son has since "grabbed life by the horns" and is about to embark on his first UK tour with his band Cigarette Social Club.

He said: "I couldn’t imagine my life without my first born, my boy, my Harry, and I only wish he had had someone that he could have reached out to."