INTREPID Tony Bowcott doesn't do things by half.

The 78-year-old cyclist from Wollescote is a man on a mission.

He plans to take part in the London to Paris Bike Ride in September to raise money for Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity.

It will mean Tony having to cycle 300 miles in the space of four days.

But he is determined to complete the ride as it will be his way of saying thank you to the hospital after staff saved his granddaughter’s life.

Tony said: “My granddaughter suffered a bleed on the brain. It was touch and go for a while.

“During last year’s Velo ride, one of the members from our club Stourbug did the ride on behalf of Birmingham Children's Hospital.

“He'd got the T-shirt on, so I got talking to him and that's where the idea came from.

“He had a granddaughter who had a heart operation there. When I told him about my idea, he even gave me £25 towards it.

“Anyone who has had children treated there will know just how special the place is.

“I only took up cycling to keep fit, but I've taken it more seriously over the past 12 months.

“I'm doing rides up to 70 miles now so I will complete the London to Paris – don't you worry about that!”

Tony will be making up a team of 16 riders from across the Midlands – none of which he has ever met before – but all are riding on behalf of Birmingham Children's Hospital.

Anyone who would like to sponsor Tony can by visiting his justgiving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tony-bowcott.