A Warwickshire lawyer is to swap his pinstripe for cycling gear next month to raise money for charity in a marathon bike ride.
Mike Wakeling (right), business dispute resolution partner at Stratford-upon-Avon law firm Lodders, will ride from Claverdon in south Warwickshire to Paris along with 20 other novice cyclists aged 35-50.
Starting on July 1 the four-day bike ride aims to raise £25,000 for the MS Trust.
The riders, including presenter Phil Upton (left) of BBC WM, will be wearing professional cycling gear provided by eight corporate sponsors, including Lodders.
Mike Wakeling said: “It is for a great cause and I am delighted to be part of the team. We have all had to go into hard training because the four days will be very demanding for us novices.”
The ride will begin from the Red Lion in Claverdon, home village of National MS Trust chairman Russell Hardy (centre), who is also taking part. Most of the team come from the Claverdon and Warwick area.
Mike said: “Everyone has been training really hard for this event because none of us is an experienced cyclist and it is a tough schedule to get to the Champs Elysees by 4pm on the Friday afternoon.
“Some of us have bought new bikes and the line-up ranges from touring machines through to retro-style Miss Marple bicycles.
“We will try to stay together throughout the journey and not get too strung out – but 300 miles in four days is a tough call.
“We are a mixed bunch that includes professionals, a policeman, businessmen and some who are unemployed.”
The MS Trust, based nationally in Letchworth, provides accurate, positive and constructive information for people with Multiple Schlerosis, their friends, families and health professionals
It funds research into disease management, developing therapies needed to help people cope with MS today.
To support the project contact www.justgiving.com/michaelwakeling or www.justgiving.com/russellhardy