Charity cycle ride takes city doctor from London to Paris

Dr Jez McCole, a partner at Gleadless Medical Centre in Sheffield, took part in a 360-mile cycle ride from London to Paris in aid of the charity Action Medical Research.

He said: “I love cycling and it was a great experience to ride through beautiful villages in northern France with other cyclists who all had the same goal.

“Thanks to everyone who sponsored me.”

The GP opted to swap his car for a bicycle five years ago, after he decided that it was a more environmentally-friendly way to visit patients at home.

Since then, Dr McCole has tackled a range of long-distance rides in the UK, but nothing as far as the gruelling route to the French capital.

The ride, which finished under the Eiffel Tower, took four days to complete.

Meanwhile, a charity ball is also set to be held in Sheffield next month to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society.

The ball, to take place at the Sheffield Park Hotel in Chesterfield Road on Saturday, October 1, has been organised by police officer Karen Hughes in memory of her grandmother. She said: “It’s difficult to watch someone you love disappear when dementia slowly takes over their once intelligent and capable bodies.”

Last year’s ball, the first organised by Ms Hughes, raised £4,500 for the cause.

To buy tickets for this year’s event, call 07919 300391.