From Sowerby Bridge to the Champs-Élysées - The Chiropractor breaking his back for Calderdale charity

The Sowerby Bridge chiropractor will undertake a ride of nearly 600 miles when he sets off from his Calderdale Chiropractic headquarters on Friday, before joining up with a Paris-based chiropractors course next week.

Simon, who is also the Bishop of the Halifax ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is aiming to raise £1,000 for Calderdale-based charity Overgate Hospice, who provide care for the terminally ill and supports their loved ones.

He said: "Overgate are my company's chosen charity of the year. They're a fabulous charity and one that is close to my heart as we've had friends that have been helped by them.

"I've always wanted to do something for them as and a keen cyclist this seems like a good way to do that!"

In what will be a huge test of not only physical but also mental fitness, Simon will undertake the six day ride mostly alone with no support car, joined for two days by Adam Wilkey, a fellow chiropractor from Oldham.

"I've always cycled and enjoyed it, and I've always liked the thought of doing a long ride like this one. The course in Paris was a nice excuse, really.

"It's also a bit of a 40th birthday present to myself, too, taking on the challenge and leaving the kids alone with my wife for that stretch of time - it's a commitment for her, too!"

Although Simon's cycling experience is vast, this will be by far the longest ride he has ever undertaken.

"I've done long rides, the longest being 220 miles, but nothing even close to this before," he said,

"I've always kept reasonably fit and the past few weeks I've been going out on the bike every day to prepare."

Simon will stop off at Stocksbridge, Solihull, Oxford and Portsmouth before hopping on a ferry to Caen and heading to Paris, where he spent two years as a volunteer for his church in the late 90s.

He has so far raised over £250. Those wishing to support his fundraising effort can do so by visiting his Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/simonpgoughcycleparis