AN Oxford family is gearing up for an ambitious charity cycle challenge which will take them from Carfax tower to the Eiffel Tower.

The group of five will ride from Oxford to Paris ride to raise money for Diabetes UK after one of the team, Adrian Birch, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes two years ago.

Adrian, from Great Western Park, Didcot, will be joined by four other cyclists – his dad Adrian Birch, from Boswell Road, Cowley; brother-in-laws Steven Riordan from Horspath Road, Cowley, and Christopher O'Leary and his son Michael O’Leary, from Barnes Road Cowley.

The challenge will see the team set off on a three-day, 230-mile journey for the group made up partly of complete cycling novices.

Adrian Birch Jnr. said: “I'm completing this challenge because I have Type 1 diabetes. I was diagnosed two years ago and it is a cause very close to my heart.

“Diabetes is one of the biggest challenges facing us as a generation and raising as much as we can for this cause will help and hopefully inspire others to do so.”

Dad Adrian Birch Snr. said: “This bike ride will challenge each of us mentally and physically over the three days and will be a great personal achievement for all those involved once we reach the Eiffel Tower.

“We hope to raise as much money as possible for Diabetes UK to help in any way we can to hopefully finding a cure for such a life changing disease, people who suffer with diabetes are at risk of serious health complications and we hope the money raised will support the research in any way possible.”

Mr Riordan said: “We decided to complete the Oxford to Paris bike ride not only to challenge ourselves but to also show that even with type 1 diabetes you can do anything you set your mind to.

“Having a family member who has this life changing disease has influenced our decision to raise money for Diabetes UK, we as a family want to do all we can to help those who are suffering both mentally and physically from the disease.

“We hope to raise more awareness for such a great cause.”

The team will set off from Oxford in March before heading south over the Downs before arriving 80 miles later at Portsmouth.

On day two, the group will set off from Le Havre through the French countryside before stopping at Evreux, some 70 miles later.

They plan to arrive at the iconic Eiffel Tower before the end of the third day.

To donate visit the team’s justgiving page titled ‘Oxford to Paris Bike Ride.’