Paul’s 4-canal cycle challenge

Paul (65) will cycle alongside four canals in Rotherham, London, Paris and southern France in 24 hours to raise money for the National Autistic Society and Robert Ogden School.

His 1,000-mile trip will begin at Rotherham United’s New York Stadium at 9.30am on Tuesday — and he aims to finish his journey on the Le Canal du Midi on the French/Spanish border.

Paul, a volunteer co-ordinator at Stonham Home Group in Eastwood, said: “The target is to do four rides in 24 hours.

“I love canals and cycling so to combine the two is great.

“I’ll only actually be cycling for about 40 to 50 miles but with the other travelling it’s going to be a challenge to get it all done in one day.”

Paul will start his journey by riding along the South Yorkshire Navigation canal through to Sheffield railway station.

He will then pack away his folding bike and board the train to London before taking on a round trip of the Regent’s Canal.

Paul will take a break from the saddle once again and board the Eurostar to Paris and cycle alongside the Canal Saint-Martin.

As darkness falls, there will be no rest as the relentless ride will see Paul boarding the night train to the Spanish border before a cycle alongside Le Canal du Midi, in the south of France.

Paul, who only took up cycling four years ago, said: “I have undertaken sponsored bike rides before when I rode to Rotterdam, but I wanted to make it interesting.

“I thought that trying to do it all within 24 hours would make it more exciting.”

Paul said taking up cycling had made him feel fitter than when he was 40.

He hopes to raise more than £250.

Paul said: “I’ve only just raised £3,000 for Prostate Cancer UK so I didn’t really want to ask people to be giving too much.”

For more information or to sponsor Paul visit www.justgiv ng.com/paulnasrotherham.

MORE NEWS

Homes rocked as RAF jets cause sonic boom

Morrisons wins permission for Catcliffe properties

Travellers’ Swallownest site plan rejected