AFTER months of training, a man from Frampton Cotterell has completed a 266- mile fundraising challenge.

Alan West cycled 240 miles from Richmond Park, London to the Champs-Elysee in Paris last month, to help raise money for international development organisation Transaid.

This latest sporting endeavour comes just months after the 41-year-old took part in the Paris Marathon.

In April, Mr West ran the 26- mile event with a stress fracture, but was able to recover in time to train and take part in last month’s cycle ride. He set himself a fundraising target of £1,600 for the two events.

Transaid, for which Mr West is an ambassador, works to transform lives through safe, available and sustainable transport in economically developing countries.

Transaid’s work includes an emergency transport scheme which helps get pregnant mothers who live in rural areas of Africa to vital childbirth-related care, as well as helping community health workers reach families.

The charity also runs a driver training programme in sub-Saharan Africa, as road deaths are the third biggest killer there.

Mr West, who was one of 60 cyclists who took part in the Transaid European Cycling Challenge, said: “I have to thank everyone who has supported me this year. As a result of my generous sponsors, I was able to break my fundraising target and reach nearly £2,000 across both events.

“This money will now be used by Transaid to fund their vitally important projects, but I also hope that my adventures this year have helped raise awareness of Transaid and the great work they do.”

In addition to his personal fundraising, local businesses Creatrix PR and InEvents provided corporate sponsorship to Mr West for his ride.

There is still time to donate via justgiving.com/fundraising/AlWestParisMarathon.