CLERICAL worker Tom Coward is no faint-heart when it comes to raising cash for charity.

Tom, who works for BT in Jubilee Street, Blackburn, is leaving the comfort of his desk to cycle through China next June to raise money for mental health charity Mencap.

The 480km route will take him from the Great Wall of China to Tianamen Square. All the money he raises will be used on Mencap projects in the North West.

Tom, 33, has previously raised money for charities by doing parachute jumps, army assault courses and climbing Ben Nevis.

And he is expecting this latest exercise to be just as arduous.

Tom has started training for the ride already, by going to the gym three times a week and riding his bike at weekends.

So far he has managed a 12-mile ride - but in China he will be expected to do 50 miles a day.

He said the terrain he would be crossing was quite varied.

"It is quite mountainous near the Wall and then it goes into farmland nearer Beijing.

"They have told us there are only two extreme hills but I'm not sure what they mean exactly!

"It is supposed to be quite hot and humid at that time of year so that will be hard to cope with as well."

Tom said he thought the China expedition would be "something totally different."

He said: "The whole culture is different. You should see more on a bike ride than you would whizzing through in a car."

Tom, who lives in Farnworth, has paid £300 to cover his costs and now has to raise £2,500 in sponsorship.

He is planning to organise a couple of quiz nights in the New Year at Pitchers pub in Blackburn, and is hoping to gain permission to hold a balloon race in the town.

Anyone wanting to sponsor him should ring 01254 684243.

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