A cycling-mad policeman from Helsby is gearing up to take on a 1,000 mile bike ride from London to Nice next month in aid of a charity which funds research to prevent and treat diseases and disabilities in children.
Paul Rogers, 44, of Mere’s Edge, will set off from Blackheath on June 11 and travel through Paris, Geneva and the Alps on his self-funded trip in aid of Action Medical Research, covering between 80 to 100 miles each day.
The gruelling ride won’t be the first fundraiser police sergeant Paul, based in Widnes Neighbourhood Policing Unit, has undertaken for the charity, having completed two London to Paris bike rides in 2010 and 2012.
Paul, who has 22 years service under his belt, said: “Riding the entire length of France, seeing rural France, the Alps, the wine trail and Switzerland has always been a lifetime ambition.
“For the past few years I have raised money for the charity Action Medical Research. To link the two together was a natural and obvious thing to do.
“The daily distance isn’t too bad. The hard bit is doing that day after day. Then there’s the mountains. Being a bit on the rotund side, hills don’t come naturally to me so the days crossing the Juras and the days in the Alps are something I’m not looking forward to.
“Action Medical Research have, for over 60 years, been saving and changing lives of children through medical research and have spent over £100m, funding some amazing breakthroughs. Today in the UK, there are hundreds of thousands of sick and disabled children who need help. Action Medical Research find and fund the best research to help these children. It’s such a worthy cause.
“Even if it’s just the change in your pocket anything is greatly received. I know times are hard but this affects the charities as well.”
Paul will be chronicling the ‘highs and lows’ of his journey on his Twitter @dukster777.
To sponsor him, visit Paul's sponsorship page or visit Paul’s wife Zoe’s salon, Zoe’s Hairdressers on Church Street, Frodsham.
