A fundraiser is finally on his bike this week for a 1,000km adventure supporting a Bridport charity.

Local man Andy Hutchinson had planned the Tour de Manche cycle ride in England and France a while ago but it was delayed due to the pandemic.

He finally set off on Wednesday from his home in Netherbury with his friend Dave Evans, who is from Yorkshire.

Sponsorship raised from the ride will be shared between The Burrough Harmony Centre, Bridport's mental health hub, where Mr Hutchinson is a trustee, and Dash, a refugee charity that Mr Evans volunteers for in Huddersfield.

Mr Hutchinson said: “The Tour goes from home to Plymouth, we then take a ferry to Roscoff, then cycle from Roscoff to Cherbourg on quiet French roads and tracks and then back on the ferry to Poole and then home. It is a Covid delayed trip to celebrate our 70th birthdays and we intend to camp on the way. It's madness, I know, but will hopefully be an adventure and for good causes too.”

The Tour de Manche route runs along the northern Brittany coast and takes in Morlaix Bay and Mont Saint Michel as well as the Cotentin Peninsular in Normandy. Most of the route follows scenic byways, greenway routes, dedicated bike paths, and smaller country roads with minimal traffic.

The pair, who expect the ride will take two weeks, will be staying in a tent and occasionally a b&b along the route.

They aim to raise £500 - but already raised near that amount before they set off so it looks like they will smash their target. If you wan to support them visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/andydavelamanche

The Burrough Harmony Centre, or Harmony, is a small, but growing charity that helps people take care of themselves and get the most from life. Making simple changes to how you live doesn’t need to cost a fortune or take up loads of time. Why not contact Harmony today on 07597 379290 or see what it offers on www.harmonydropin.org