SOUTHEND United’s chief executive Steve Kavanagh will be kicking off his cycle from London to Amsterdam today.

Kavanagh is among 260 people from 50 Football League Clubs taking part in the 145 mile ride to raise funds for the Prostrate Cancer UK charity.

And, having lost both his parents to cancer, Kavanagh is keen to raise as much money as he can.

“I am delighted to take on this challenge on, it will be tough for me but recent advancements in the fight against cancer make such events even more invaluable and having lost both my parents to cancer I am delighted to do my bit in that fight,” said Kavanagh, who has already raised more than £2,700.

“I would also like to say thank you to everyone who has sponsored me so far.”

Shrimpers supporters Keith Walker, Roy Fleming, Jarek Mankus and Gavin Markscheffel will also be taking part in the bike ride for the official charity partner of the Football League.

Well known former footballers Terry Butcher, Matt Holland and Luther Blissett will be joining them in the event that gets underway at Leyton Orient’s Brisbane Road ground this morning.

There will also be half-time pit stop at Colchester before the squad set sail from Harwich at the end of day one.

The second day takes in a serene sojourn along the pristine pathways of the Netherlands culminating in a finale at the Amsterdam ArenA.

Prostate cancer kills one man every hour in the UK and in 2014 riders from more than 50 clubs helped raise more than £200,000 to support the 300,000 men affected by the disease in the UK.

To sponsor Kavanagh visit www.justgiving.com/stephen-kavanagh2