A father of two who has spent the last two years in a wheelchair after being diagnosed with a brain condition, is gearing up to take on a gruelling five day challenge cycling from London to Paris.

Simon Kindleysides, from Wortwell, was diagnosed with a brain condition called functional neurological disorder (FND) in April 2013, which left him with no movement in his legs and numb from the waist down. While in hospital, doctors also found he has a slow growing brain tumour.

But despite the life-changing news, Mr Kindleysides has vowed to raise money for the charity Brain and Spine Foundation, and will be setting off from London on July 15, cycling around 300 miles to the finish line at the Eiffel Tower.

Mr Kindleysides will be using a hand cycle to complete his journey.

He said: “I always like to challenge myself and when I’m told I can’t do something I’m even more determined to do it.

“It’s been a bit of a rough journey but I just want to be able to help other people like myself.

“When you have a condition and you leave the hospital you sometimes feel like you are on your own. But charities like the Brain and Spine Foundation are always at the other end of a phone and you can ring up and speak to nurses about anything.”

The 30-year-old lives with his partner Hannah Young, who is also his full time carer.

He said: “I’m excited about the trip but I’m nervous too because I will be by myself. Hannah washes me and dresses me, but I will just have to get on with it.

“I haven’t ridden a bike since I was a child so using a sit down one is really going to throw me!”

Mr Kindleysides is hoping to raise £3,000 and is holding a fundraising day at Wortwell Community Centre on Sunday from noon to 5pm. There will be stalls, face painting, a bouncy castle, food and drink and a raffle.

To sponsor visit www.justgiving.com/simonFND or text SKUK99 to 70070 with the donation amount.