A father is cycling 100 miles in memory of his son, who died aged just three weeks.

Garry Colligan, of Rusthall Avenue, Chiswick, will take part in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 race this August in aid of baby care charity Bliss.

His wife Annabelle gave birth to twins Constance and Archie 13 weeks premature in October 2011. Constance survived and is now a happy, healthy two-year-old, but Archie sadly lost his fight for life aged just three weeks.

The 48-year-old architect only took up cycling last summer but said he was determined to do something in Archie's memory and to help improve the chances of other babies born too soon.

"We had some terrific nurses at Queen Charlotte's Hospital (in Shepherd's Bush) who helped us through what was an incredibly difficult time," said Mr Colligan, who also has a five-year-old son called Adam.

"There have been extraordinary advances in the care of premature babies over the last 30 years and if it wasn't for those advances Constance wouldn't have had a chance. That she's now a happy, fun, loving, sometimes cheeky, completely normal two year old is testament to those advances.

"I wanted to do the ride in Archie's memory and to support the Bliss Nurses programme so it can help other families going through what we did."

Difficulties with Annabelle's pregnancy began at just 21 weeks and an emergency caesarean was carried out six weeks later.

For the first three weeks everything went well but on morning she and Garry received a call from the hospital to say Archie had developed necrotizing enterocolitis, an infection of the bowel. He died less than two hours later.

Mr Colligan said cycling had helped him through 'the darkness' and he was looking forward to completing the route, which passes through his home town.

* To sponsor Mr Colligan, visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GarryColligan

* For the chance to win the ultimate VIP cycling experience, register to cycle the 2014 Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 with Bliss and you could win a prize including the opportunity to take part in a spinning class with double Olympic Gold medal winning cyclist Laura Trott, two grandstand passes for friends or family to watch you cross the finishing line, and access to the VIP start area with the celebrities taking part. For more information visit www.bliss.org.uk/take-action/prudential-ride-london