AS charity challenges go — they don’t come much bigger than this.

Jimmy Hailwood is aiming to cycle across three continents, travelling a staggering 20,000 kilometres as he pedals his way from Australia to his hometown of Horwich.

And the 28-year-old wants to complete the seismic feat in less than a year.

Mr Hailwood has lived down under for the past five years and after deciding to come home — he did away with plans for a traditional flight back to England, opting instead to make the epic journey on two wheels.

Mr Hailwood, who has been working as a wall and floor tiler in Australia, said: “This is something I have been planning for a while now. I knew I was coming home and I thought it would be nice to see as much of the world as possible on my way, while raising money for charity.

“The way I see it is that you have to live life to the full while you can because you are only here once.”

He is being joined on part of the journey by his friend Colin Nash, from Wallsall, and has already completed the first leg, travelling 1,400 kilometres up Australia’s west coast, before flying to Bali.

The plan is to then cycle through Indonesia, Bhurma, Bangladesh, Nepal and India — where the boys are expected to part ways.

Mr Hailwood will then move on to Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan before making his way across Iran.

He will move into Turkey and will then cycle his way through Europe and on to the UK — hoping to make his return to Horwich before Christmas.

He said: “Of course it is definitely an endurance thing but for me it is more about seeing the world and all of these amazing places and obviously hoping to raise some money for charity along the way.”

The charity of choice is Derian House Children’s Hospice in Chorley, which he chose because of the support given to a friend of his before his daughter passed away.

The Bolton Wanderers fan said of all the countries he is visiting he is most looking forward to seeing Iran.

He added: “I think it is a country that gets a lot of bad press in the western media but while in Australia I have met a lot of Iranians and they are the nicest, kindest folk you will meet.”

He aiming is to get back to Horwich to see his mum, dad, brothers, sisters and girlfriend Ashton before Christmas — as well as checking in on the Whites.

Mum Sarah Hailwood, aged 64, of Pennine Close, Horwich, said: “I wasn’t surprised to hear he was taking on this challenge, I think it’s in his genetics — he is an adventurer.

“We will be praying that he stays safe on his travels and it will be a nice present to have him back for Christmas.”

To sponsor Jimmy on his journey, visit http://justgiving.com/backtobritainbybike/ or text the code BBBB92 followed by any amount from £1-£10 to the number 70070.

To keep up to date with Jimmy’s journey, like the ‘back to Britain by bike’ page on Facebook.