Paul Wales is cycling from the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle to Nice in the south of France to raise money for the Shine Fund and Brain Tumour Research.
Paul is an occupational therapist practice placement education lead at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, a provider of mental health and disability services.
SHINE is the Trust’s official charity and provides money for ‘little extras’ for patients, including therapeutic activities or items of comfort to assist with people’s care, treatment or rehabilitation. Funds from SHINE have paid for things like sports equipment and therapy gardens.
Paul says: “I always try my best to make a difference. I enjoy a challenge and thought I could combine a little physical activity to raise some money for Shine and for Brain Tumour Research.
“I’ve seen the impact that Shine has made, and it inspired me to think about how I could help.”
I always try my best to make a difference. I enjoy a challenge and thought I could combine a little physical activity to raise some money for Shine and for Brain Tumour Research. I’ve seen the impact that Shine has made, and it inspired me to think about how I could help.
Paul Wales
He will be joined on the first leg of his journey by his colleague Dr Mohammed Elhamshary, a consultant psychiatrist in CNTW’s Newcastle West Community Treatment team. They will cycle from Newcastle to London together over two days, starting on 3 September, before Mohammed returns to Newcastle to take on the Great North Run.
On his two-week journey from Newcastle to Nice, Paul will cycle to Dover and catch the ferry to Calais, cycle through Dunkirk and then stay over in Paris after cycling down the Champs-Elysées to the Eiffel Tower. He will later cross the border to Geneva, Switzerland before heading south to Nice, hitting some of the tough Tour de France climbs along the way.
Paul’s journey is over 1,300 miles, he’ll cover a minimum of 70 miles each day and as far as 145 miles on the first day.
Paul says: “I don’t want to let the charities down and I’ll try everything I can to prepare. The hardest thing so far hasn’t been hills or miles, it’s been giving up chocolate to help me stay in shape for the cycle!
“I’m most looking forward to reaching my £5000 fundraising target and of course passing the finish line in Nice.
“I’m not too worried about the elevation of the Alps, I’m more concerned about being misdirected along the way – I’ve undertaken several cycling challenges in the past where the markers pointing cyclists in the right direction have been moved by local kids, leading me to cycle miles in the wrong direction!”
I don’t want to let the charities down and I’ll try everything I can to prepare. The hardest thing so far hasn’t been hills or miles, it’s been giving up chocolate to help me stay in shape for the cycle!
Paul Wales
For his cycle from London to Nice, Paul will join a group of other charity cyclists organised by adventure tour company Discover Adventure.
The company will support the cyclists by mapping out the route, arranging accommodation and carrying overnight bags between stops.
Paul is covering the cost of the tour package himself so all of the money he fundraises will be split equally between the SHINE Fund and Brain Tumour Research.
Paul already fundraises for Brain Tumour Research through Biking Vikings North East.
You can sponsor Paul and Mohammed here.