Student's cycling challenge

A Shropshire student is gearing up to cover the route of the Tour de France to raise money in honour of his father and grandfather who died in the same year of brain related diseases.

Nicholas Stockley, 21, of Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, will set off from St Malo in France on July 28 to cover 2,000 miles for the Brain and Spine Foundation.

His grandfather Frank Jones, 77, former Shropshire Health Authority chairman and chairman of Telford Development Corporation, died of a stroke and his father Paul Stockley, 51, died of a bleed in the brain in December 2005.

Mr Stockley, a former Shrewsbury School pupil, is planning to do the route in 28 days, which is a week longer than the actual race.He said: "The tour is legendary. It is both a physical and mental challenge - and that's for those athletes who are able to train every day of their lives for the ultimate cycling prize.

"Although I will not be cycling at the same speed as these professionals, it will be an equally daunting prospect for me.

"Over 28 days I will cover around 2,000 miles, taking in some of the most intimidating cols that the tour has to offer, enduring French summer heat, and finishing along the Champs-ƒlysŽes to considerably less applause than that which the racers are greeted with."

Mr Stockley, who is studying French and German at Exeter University, said he got the idea for the fundraising trip after spending a year in the Pyrenees.

The money raised will help the Brain and Spine Foundation to run its helpline staffed by neuro science nurses so newly diagnosed people can get advice and support.

To sponsor Mr Stockley go to www.justgiving.com/ nicholasstockley or e-mail him at [email protected] Mr Stockley has also set up a group called Nick does Le Tour 2008 on social networking site Facebook.