A DECADE after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s, a father-of-three has signed up for the 'ultimate test of human endurance'.

Despite admitting some days he finds it hard to walk, Alex Flynn, 46, will embark upon the Primal Quest Pursuit Race on September 6.

The race is a 300 km, multi-day, non-stop adventure across the mountainous terrain of British Columbia in Canada. To complete the journey, Mr Flynn must bike, trek, kayak and climb.

Mike Kloser, a five-times world champion adventure racer, will lead the team.

The Wantage resident said: “I rise to a challenge. The race will be tough but I can do this irrespective of my disease.”

Mr Flynn was diagnosed with Parkinson’s aged 36, a progressive neurological condition for which there is currently no cure. The condition affects 145,000 people in the UK, and millions worldwide.

The endurance athlete said: “I hope to inspire others and to prove that life doesn’t end with diagnosis – that we can all meet our challenges head-on.”

Since his diagnosis in 2008, Mr Flynn has raised more than £68,819 through sponsorship for his endurance events.

The sportsman said: “Rather than accept that this is my lot, I decided to get the most out of life. I’d like to make change happen and fight this disease.”

So far, Mr Flynn’s epic journeys have included a distance of 160 miles across the Bavarian Alps, an Ironman distance triathlon to the wild Amazon jungle, and crossing 3,256 miles of the USA in 35 days.

In 2011 he crossed 1,457 miles of Europe in 30 days during which while in Italy, he had the honour of being blessed by Pope Benedict XVI at the Papal summer palace.

Mr Flynn hopes to raise £10,000 for Parkinson’s UK through his upcoming race. He said: “the research programmes funded by Parkinson’s UK are of the utmost importance.”

A key part of Mr Flynn’s motivation is to raise awareness of the role of exercise in helping people manage their Parkinson’s.

According to research doing 2.5 hours of exercise a week can slow the progression of symptoms, which can include tremor, pain and muscle stiffness to depression, anxiety, hallucinations, memory problems and dementia. .

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/alexflynnpq18