Hannah's 500-mile tandem ride for the 'best papa ever'

Hannah Moffat described her grandfather Peter Allen, who died of heart failure in November 2009, as the "best papa in the whole world", who phoned her and his three other grandchildren every Sunday night to hear about their latest achievements.

Hannah, a pupil at George Watson's College in Edinburgh, will ride a tandem bicycle with father Rob. She has received good luck messages from world record breaking cyclist Mark Beaumont and from former Scotland rugby captain Gavin Hastings OBE for "Rob and Hannah's Epic Tandem Ride".

The trip in memory of Mr Allen, a retired solicitor from Sussex, aims to raise 5,000 for the British Heart Foundation. Hannah and her father will set off on Sunday and hope to finish on Saturday 16 July.

Hannah said: "On 5 November 2009, my papa died of heart failure. I'd say that he was the best papa in the whole world. When my cousins and Angus and I complained about our broccoli, he just picked it up off his plate and started a broccoli fight.

"He let us drive his tractor and we nearly crashed it! He wrote a rude rhyme about my hamster Dusty. He was very funny and made me laugh all the time. I really miss him and my mummy does too. I want to do this bike ride to remember him and help all the other people, like my papa, who have weak hearts. I want everyone to live a bit longer so they have more time to have fun."

The pair from Craiglockhart in Edinburgh, have trained every weekend since January for the trip to Hannah's aunt's home in Cwmdu in South Wales.

They intend to follow cycle paths to avoid heavy traffic, even though it adds to the journey.

Mr Beaumont, who set the world record for the fastest cycle around the world, and who signed the pair's T-shirts for the journey, said: "The cycle will be a real test of strength and determination - but I have no doubts that you can do it."

Mr Hastings,said: "I'll be watching your progress with interest along with lots of your friends and teachers at George Watson's College."

Mr Moffat, an investment director, said: "We have had tremendous support from friends and family but it's now it's up to us to prove we can 'go the distance'. It's not often that an 11-year-old girl decides to make such a dramatic journey.

"The British Heart Foundation do invaluable work and it can only continue with donations from people like us."

• www.justgiving.com/ Rob-Moffat