Martin Trippick is one very brave guy.

He is cycling from Paris to Cheltenham – a distance of approximately 500 kilometres – to raise money for cancer care centre Maggie’s Cheltenham, but that is not the half of it because Martin has cancer himself.

He was diagnosed with Metastatic Colon Cancer in December 2017. His cancer is stage IV and his treatment is chemotherapy, something he must have every two weeks for the rest of his life.

He will be joined on his cycle ride from 16th-19th May by his 16-year-old son Kieran and they plan to cycle unsupported from the French capital.

It means there is no back-up team and you only have to read Martin’s story to realise just how big an achievement it will be.

“There are tough times during my chemotherapy treatment and the side effects of the drugs require continuous management,” he said.

“Some days are harder than others. Before my cancer diagnosis at 50 I had lived a healthy and active lifestyle.

“So I thought, why shouldn’t I continue? Cancer doesn’t have to stop me. I soon realised that with a positive attitude, anyone can continue to live life to the full and achieve goals and ambitions that initially seem too far out of reach.

“Of course cancer has changed my life but being positive and trying to continue my life as normal as possible is something that I’m striving for.”

Martin has always been an enthusiastic cyclist and was a member of Evesham Wheelers Cycling Club.

“Along with my son Kieran, we’ll take on this unique challenge together,” he said. “A father and son adventure. Pushing ourselves over a distance of approximately 500km, I want to show him, our family, our friends and anyone else who’ll listen that getting cancer is not a reason to stop.”

A quality engineer who works in Bishop’s Cleeve, Martin’s ongoing treatment means that he works one week out of every two.

“Training for this ride is difficult,” he admitted. “Scheduling it in between my ongoing chemotherapy cycles and fatigue/energy levels that the treatment puts upon me can be hard and often hurts.

“But continuing to be active and maintaining a healthy fitness level helps with my mental and physical attitude. It keeps me living my life as normal as possible.

“I decided to raise funds for Maggie’s because they are a fabulous local cancer centre that provide free practical, emotional and social support for all cancer patients, families and friends associated with any aspect of cancer.”

There will be a big finish at Maggie’s in Cheltenham on Sunday 19th May when the challenge is completed, and Martin, who lives in Mickleton near Chipping Campden, is also very grateful to all the staff at Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon hospitals who continue to provide him with excellent treatment.

To support Martin, visit his JustGiving link www.justgiving.com/fundraising/parchel