THIRTEEN cyclists are making their way 300 miles from London to Paris to raise funds for local people with life-limiting illnesses.
The cyclists leave Wigan on a coach on Tuesday, September 18th to travel to London from where they will leave the following morning for Paris.
All are raising funds for Wigan and Leigh Hospice to help ensure the charity can continue providing all of its services.
The 300-mile journey will take the cyclists through the English countryside into rural France passing by historical landmarks and World War 1 battlefields before reaching the Eiffel Tower.
Paul Harper, a Director of ABtec, an IT support firm based in Hindley Green, is one of those taking part.
He said: “I won a bike as part of an award for a European Security Project and this motivated me to get back in to cycling.
“I got talking to the Hospice Chief Executive, Dr Alan Baron, who told me about the challenge so I thought it would be good to put the bike to good use and raise some much needed funds for the hospice.”
Maxine Armstrong, Fundraising and Lottery Manager for the hospice, said: “It will be an unforgettable experience for all of our riders – particularly as this year marks 100 years since the end of World War 1 and they will be cycling past battlefields on their journey.
“Cycling from London to Paris is a huge challenge but our cyclists have been dedicated to their training and their fundraising. A warm and well-deserved welcome awaits them in Paris.”