Cyclist embarking on 296-mile trip from London to Paris

Paul Lambert will cycle a total of 296 miles the day after his 30th birthday to raise money and awareness for Action Medical Research.

The father-of-one, from Dawley in Telford, said: "I have always been a keen cyclist, despite my size, and I have always wanted to take on a challenge like this.

"I couldn't do it last year as I injured my knee, so even though the timing fell on my birthday, I just couldn't turn it down.

"My birthday celebrations are going to have to be put on hold I guess, but I don't mind.

"I am really looking forward to the challenge and my family and friends have been so supportive, and they have been helping me raise as much money as possible.

"Training has been going really well and the longest distance I have done on my bike so far is 65 miles, but I hope to keep increasing that until the actual event.

"I heard that when I am over in Paris the Tour de France will be on, so I'm also hoping to watch a bit of that as I have followed it for years.

"They have a big party in Paris when it's finished and I hope I get to enjoy a bit of that."

As well as taking on the cycle challenge Mr Lambert's wife Danielle is also expecting their second child in October.

He added: "This is why I wanted to take on the challenge because our two-year-old son Oliver is a healthy little boy, but Action Medical Research look after families and children who are sick.

"You never know when you might need them.

"Hopefully we won't, but if our baby was to born prematurely we would need help from charities like them, so it's only fair I do something to help."

Mr Lambert, who works at Telford Group Ltd, will begin his challenge on July 22, by cycling from London to Dover.

He will continue onto Paris once he arrives in France, and the challenge is expected to take four days to complete.

Mr Lambert hopes to raise £1,500. To sponsor him visit www.action.org.uk/sponsor/paullambertl2p