By Kit Danks

A radiologist at Dorset County Hospital is cycling 125 miles for charity today.

Dr Richard Tippet has raised funds to help combat prostate cancer by cycling the first stage of the Tour de France.

Starting in Noirmoutier-En-L’Ile, he will cycle through the Vendée region of western France for 199 kilometres, a distance that is predicted to take 8 hours to cover on a bicycle, until he finishes near La Rochelle.

Dr Tippet has been working as a consultant radiologist for seven years, and specialises in interpreting MRI scans of the prostate.

He said: “Because West Dorset has a high average age, prostate cancer makes up an enormous part of the cancer workload carried out at DCH.

“There have been huge advances in prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment over the last ten years – properly funded, we can continue to improve the care we provide.”

More than 200 cyclists will take part in the Prostate Cancer UK event – the group arrived in France on Thursday, with a leisurely Friday evening meal before the challenge began today.

The minimum sponsorship money participants must raise to take part is £1,000, but Dr Tippet has gone above and beyond, his current total sitting at over £2,500.

And the event itself is no mean feat – with the ride beginning at 7am, the cyclists have until 7pm to finish the coastal course, and while it is described as ‘relatively flat’, Dr Tippet will need to cycle at a steady 12 miles per hour to complete the stage on time.

There is also the opportunity to win a Tour de France-style jersey, with the different colours representing the participants’ fundraising achievements.

The famous ‘maillot jaune’ (or yellow jersey) will be awarded to the top fundraiser overall, with current leaderboards showing the winner has raised almost £14,000 for the event.

Dr Tippet said: “I am riding with 200 other cyclists from al over the UK raising funds for PCUK, some of these cyclists have been treated for prostate cancer, and some have relatives affected by it.

“They will all have a story, and it will be fascinating spending the day with them and hearing their stories.”

To donate to the fundraiser, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/tippy