A DAD-of-two has been inspired by a young brain tumour patient to pedal hundreds of miles from London to Paris as a way of helping to fund research into the disease.

David Salter, 34, of Wroughton, is taking on the 300km cycle to honour his friends’ daughter, Charlotte Reid, 18, who is living with the condition.

Moved by Charlotte’s story, David aims to complete the ride in just 24 hours along with 150 other participants in the London to Paris Sportive.

Starting from Greenwich Observatory on May 4, the route will take them through Surrey and Normandy before reaching the City of Lights.

David, who will be attempting the event for the first time, has been preparing by riding regularly in the local area, alternating with a mixture of solo rides and as part of a group with Swindon Recycles CC.

He said: “This will be the furthest I’ve ever cycled and an unforgettable experience that I hope will make me stronger both mentally and physically.

“This event initially got me thinking about taking up cycling five or six years ago but only in the last couple have I actually got a bike and started to ride regularly.

“I’ve been thinking of fundraising for Charlotte for a couple of years and this seemed the ideal time to do so. While it will be a massive challenge, Charlotte will be in my thoughts every pedal of the way.”

Charlotte has been diagnosed with a craniopharyngioma, a rare type of condition, making hospital admissions a big part of her life.

Her mother Angela said: “It’s heart-breaking to see Charlotte so poorly, especially at what would normally be such a happy time of year. Charlotte’s diagnosis turned our world upside down, she now lives with huge and life-changing side effects following six weeks of treatment, a necessary evil.”

David hopes to raise £1,000 for the Brain Tumour Research charity, the only national charity in the UK dedicated to raising funds for research into brain tumours.

Tim Green, a senior community fundraising manager for the charity said: “We are extremely grateful for David’s support and wish him the very best of luck for his cycle. Charlotte’s story reminds us that brain tumours are indiscriminate: they can affect anyone at any age.”

Due to a lack of investment, the charity is calling for more than £30 million investment every year to improve survival rates and speed up new treatments.

According to Tim, the research is undervalued compared to other cancers because less than 20 per cent of those diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years.

Each year, more than 9,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with brain tumours, with half being cancerous according to the NHS.

Tim added: “Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet historically just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease, and we are proud to be changing this.”

To donate visit David’s JustGiving page at justgiving.com/fundraising/David-Salter9