A WHITCHURCH councillor will take on a gruelling 230-mile bike ride from Newbury to Paris to raise money for children’s hospice Naomi House.

Councillor Dave Titcomb set off on the three-day ride yesterday as part of a 42-man team from Bayer Medical Group.

The team are hoping that their combined efforts can raise in excess of £20,000 for the charity, which looks after children and young people with terminal illnesses.

Cllr Titcomb, who sits on Whitchurch’s Leisure and Environment Committee, is excited about the event.

He said: “I’m nervous but looking forward to it because the weather is looking good and it’s always easier cycling in good weather.

“It’s nice to be doing it for such a worthy cause.”

The idea for the bike ride formulated between the colleagues last September after Cllr Titcomb had completed a 30-mile charity cycle for Naomi House in May.

Originally the ride was proposed as a team-building exercise but those involved soon agreed that they should use the event to raise money and since then the group have collected a staggering £17,000 for the hospice.

Despite the impressive effort the group still remain £3,000 short of the target, but Cllr Titcomb believes that they can still get over the line, saying: “I would like to think we can beat the target. We might have to call in a few favours from friends and family though!”

If you would like more information on the event or want to donate, visit the website just giving.com/newbury2paris.