By Saul Cooke-Black

A RAILWAY engineer raised more than £1,500 for the Action Medical Research charity after completing a challenging cycle ride from London to Paris.

John Pettitt, 65, co-owner of Black 8 Bikes in Nailsworth, joined around 250 cyclists in a bid to raise £450,000 for the charity which helps sick and disabled babies, children and young people.

He cycled just under 300 miles over four days, finishing in Paris on Saturday - the day before the finale of the Tour de France.

“I pick out a charity to raise money for every year by doing different things,” said Mr Pettitt, who has four children, all living in the Cotswolds.

“This year I felt the Action Medical Research fund was a really worthy cause.

“I’ve not done a big charity cycle ride for a few years.

“It’s not so much the distance that makes it hard but the terrain.

“One day you are going through flat, open countryside and the next you are going uphill against the wind.”

“We covered around 80 miles on the first three days and then around 60 miles on the last leg from Compiegne to Paris.”

Over four days Mr Pettitt cycled from London to Dover, Calais to Arras, then to Compiegne before the final stage to the French capital. All participants then took part in a final celebratory lap from the Champs Elysees to the Eiffel Tower on Saturday.

The following day Chris Froome would victoriously ride along the same route to win his second Tour de France.

Entry is now open for the 2016 London to Paris bike ride in aid of Action Medical Research.

To find out more about the charity and the bike ride visit action.org.uk/action-london-paris Anyone who would like to donate can visit Mr Pettitt’s fundraising page action.org.uk/sponsor/johnpettitt1