A former international squash player from Bradford will jump in the saddle for Britain’s biggest cycling race in a generation to raise money for the Stroke Association after the illness claimed the life of both of his parents.

Satwant Singh, 65, who works as a technician at Bradford University, will take part in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100, which will see 20,000 riders tackle a 100-mile route finishing on The Mall in central London.

The Tanzanian, who represented Zambia as a squash player before a knee injury ended his sporting career, lost his father Surrinder Singh to a stroke, aged 76, and his mother Dalip, aged 78.

“This event changed our world overnight,” said Mr Singh, of Eccleshill.

“As a family it was very distressing for us to see both our parents, to whom we had looked up all our lives, suddenly in this state of helplessness.

“They could do very little on their own and the rest of the family could do little to alleviate their pain “My father was an accomplished athlete and well-respected sportsman in his young days.

“He shone in any sports event he participated in and later on in his life he encouraged others in the community to take part in sports.

“I thought it would be a fitting tribute to my parents who encouraged me to participate in sports that I participate in the RideLondon bike ride.”

Mr Singh, who worked as a veterinary surgeon in Tanzania for almost 30 years, will take part in the ride, which starts from the new Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

And although he is old enough to be claiming his free bus pass, he says he’ll be going all out for a fast time.

“Cycling 100 miles in under seven hours is my target, but it will be a challenge,” he said.

“It will need legs of steel and will to match. I have been training for the ride and shall do my best to finish it knowing that my parents would have been proud of me for having undertaken the ride for the Stroke Association.”

The Prudential RideLondon takes place on August 3 and 4.

For more information, visit pruden tialridelondon.co.uk.