A NUCLEAR safety engineer has set himself three physical challenges in an effort to raise as much money as possible for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Iain Hodgson, 25, from Darlington took on the Three Peaks Challenge on July 5, swam the English Channel the following week and will this weekend cycle 200 miles from Darlington to Blackpool and back.

All these challenges come before his wedding next month.

Mr Hodgson works for AMEC, which recently announced Alzheimer’s Research UK, the UK’s leading dementia research charity, as its charity of the year.

The company’s 2,500 employees aim to raise £50,000 for research into the genetics of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

Mr Hodgson wanted to raise as much money as possible for some very personal reasons.

He said: “It’s fantastic knowing I’m raising much-needed money for research into Alzheimer’s, something close to my heart as my great grandmother, Ada, died with the disease.”

Mr Hodgson has set himself the goal of completing each activity in under 24 hours.

He added: “By the time I’ve completed all three challenges, over three consecutive weekends, I’ll have covered 300 miles.

"But I’ve always loved sports of all sorts, particularly swimming, so it’s no hardship."

Friends and family have been supporting Mr Hodgson.

Miranda Johnson, head of corporate and community partnerships at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: "We can’t thank Iain enough for taking on these incredible challenges.

"Having the support of AMEC is very important to us.

"It’s wonderful to know that all the staff are pulling together to fundraise towards our research projects into the genetics of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.”

To support Mr Hodgson, visit justgiving.com/Iain-Hodgson-Alzheimers-Research