A FORMER professional footballer is gearing himself up for the biggest physical challenge of his life when he takes part in a charity bike ride through the Pyrenees.

Paul O'Driscoll, of Oldlands Walk, Coate, is cycling from Hendaye in the Bay of Biscay, in France, through to Cerbere on the Mediterranean coast to raise money for the Future In Our Hands Education And Development Fund and Childline.

And the 35-year-old, who has played for Southampton and Swindon Town, has revealed his trepidation at tackling some of the steep inclines usually reserved for the Tour de France.

"There are 18 mountain climbs in all and I'll be cycling 450 miles," he said.

"In total I'll be cycling up an 11,000m ascent along the Randonee, which is a route the guys in the Tour de France use.

"I've been cycling seriously for six years and I'm a member of the Corinium Cirencester Cycle Club, but although I've taken part in time trials and races this will be the toughest thing I've done.

"I've had to go to the Wiltshire Downs for my training, but it's been difficult to replicate the conditions in France as I'll be cycling for seven or eight hours a day in the heat up much steeper climbs."

Paul decided to take up his challenge after learning about the work done by FIOH through his girlfriend's father Mike Thomas, who is the UK co-ordinator and chairman for the local charity.

FIOH has used Big Lottery Fund grants to fund environmental and social initiatives in the developing world.

The charity has helped poverty-stricken communities in Sierra Leone, Cameroon and Pakistan, but is always on the look-out for additional funding.

"I wanted to do the bike ride for Mike and FIOH, but I also thought it would be nice to donate the other 50 per cent for Childline because it is their 20th anniversary this year," said Paul.

"They have 2,000 calls a day that go unanswered, so I thought it would be good to put something towards that."

Paul will start his gruelling cycle ride on Saturday and expects to reach his target destination the following Tuesday.

FIOH trustee Alan Stewart said: "I would like to record my thanks both to our chairman, who dedicates all his time to applications for major funding and people like Paul who undertake fundraising events. Paul can rest assured any money will be spent aiding some of the most worthy and disadvantaged people."

To sponsor Paul log onto: www.justgiving.com/paulodriscoll. To find out more about FIOH log on to www.fiohnetwork.org/fiohfund/index.htm.