A former British Army soldier is to cycle 600 miles from Paris to Blackpool to raise money to give terminally ill or sick children a dream day out.



Tony Harris, 41, works at The Blackpool Tower and with a team of five colleagues will embark on the gruelling journey which he hopes to complete in just six days.

Tony, who lives in Blackpool, was a Colour Sergeant in the Mercian Regiment for 20 years and completed tours of Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Iraq.

The Tower 2 Tower challenge will be Tony’s first inter-continental cycle, although he has competed in triathlons and marathons in the past.

Tony and colleagues Lucy Hodge, Paul and Martin Hulley and Helen Millington will all be taking up the epic challenge to raise £10,000 for Merlin’s Magic Wand and Trinity Hospice on the Fylde Coast.

Merlin’s Magic Wand is Merlin Entertainments Groups own charity that raises funds worldwide to arrange magical days out for children and Trinity Hospice, on the Fylde Coast, who provide compassionate care for people on the journey towards the end of life.

His team will start at the Eiffel Tower and make their way north through France, cross the Channel and begin the gruelling journey from Dover back home.

The ride will follow a pre-determined route with the team completing a mammoth 90 -110 miles a day in just six days beginning on Sunday 17th September.

The Tower 2 Tower team leader Tony Harris said: “We’re doing our own personal training and some long rides together to prepare for the challenge.

“We’ve done the Manchester to Blackpool ride as a team and the Preston Peddlefest, which is 65 miles and before we go we will do a 100 mile ride as a team as our final prep.

“Merlin’s Magic Wand is our company charity and they do amazing things for kids and their families who need a break from what they’re going through and some fun, so it’s very worthwhile and something I and the team wanted to help raise money for.

“The Tower had held events for Trinity in the past and they do incredible work for people coming to the end of their lives in Blackpool, so the money will be going to help them too.

“I can’t wait for the ride, it’s going to be tough but fun.”

Kenny Mew, General Manager of The Blackpool Tower, said: “Tony, Lucy, Paul, Martin and Helen are all working incredibly hard to raise £10,000 for our charity Merlin, who make sure children and their parents a magical day out.

“We work with Trinity a lot and do lots of events with them and for the patients there so we are thrilled the Tower 2 Tower team have chosen them to fundraise for too.

“It’s a long, long way and I’m sure it will be challenging but I couldn’t think of a stronger more committed group of people to do it.”


The full route is:
Sunday Day 1 - Eiffel Tower (France) to Amiens (France) – Total 90miles
Monday Day 2 – Amiens (France) to Calais (France) – Total - 107miles
Tuesday Day 3 – Dover (England) to Great Amwell (England) – Total 106miles
Wednesday Day 4 –Great Amwell (England) to Colsterworth Services (England) – Total 100miles
Thursday Day 5 – Colsterworth Services (England) to Ferrybridge Services (England) – Total 88miles
Friday Day 6 – Ferrybridge Services (England) to Blackpool Tower (England) – Total 93 miles
If you would like to help the two charities and follow Tower 2 Tower’s progress visit:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraisi...pool2towerride