A SOLICITOR will take on a mountainous challenge when he cycles the Alps in a bid to raise money for local charities.

Graham Ireland, who heads up the conveyancing team at Bury law firm WHN Solicitors, aims to raise £6,000 for Blackburn Youth Zone’s cycle hub, as well as Rosemere Cancer Foundation’s 20th anniversary appeal.

Graham, aged 60, will cycle a 600-mile route through the French Alps, climbing 56,600 feet with a 30-strong team of cyclists.

The six-day challenge from September 2 to 8 involves riding through five Alpine passes to Grenoble and on to the formidable Alpe d’Huez. Then the 30 intrepid cyclists face further challenges before reaching the Giant of Provence, Mont Ventoux and completing the ride by cycling along the Gorges Du Nesque route.

The challenge involves cycling from one Alpine hotel to another, with a day to complete each section of the ride and a support vehicle accompanying the cyclists in case of emergency.

Graham who lives in Blackburn, is taking part in the challenge despite previously having had cancer and dealing with other health problems, including a heart defect diagnosis and a number of accidents on his bike, one of which prevented him from cycling for three months.

He said: “It has taken a mammoth effort for me to be up for this, but I have never been more determined.

“Also, I turned 60 in May, so I’m really wanting to challenge myself.

“I have been trying to get as many miles under my belt as I can over the past 18 months.

“This has included cycling from my home to work almost every day, even through the winter months and rain.

“Even though the distance to and from work is only short, I take a longer detour

home.

“Any time I can cycle, I do.

“Taking into account longer weekend rides, I have been covering between 100 and 200 miles a week, which is more than I do in my car.

“I am greatly indebted to my colleagues at WHN Solicitors.

The firm kindly paid the significant entry fee to be accepted for the challenge and people have also had to put up with seeing me in Lycra over the past 18 months.”

Donations can be made at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GrahamIreland1