By Monica Gibson

A BARRHEAD man is preparing to cycle 300 miles in just four days to help people with life-limiting illnesses.

Fitness fanatic Ross Flockhart, of Lyoncross Avenue, will pedal from London all the way to Paris in support of The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice.

The 24-year-old fundraiser told the Barrhead News he decided to take on the gruelling challenge after learning about the “wonderful work” the hospice does through his job as an events executive with Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.

Ross, a former pupil of Barrhead High, said: “I did a Masters degree in risk management but, after getting a job in that sector, I realised it wasn’t really my cup of tea.

“I’m very active and I love being out and about, so working with the Chamber has been great.

“I’ve worked a lot with the hospice over the past year. I’ve learned about the Brick by Brick campaign to raise £21 million to build Glasgow’s new hospice in Bellahouston Park and that’s what I’ll be raising money towards.”

Ross also revealed he doesn’t have much experience when it comes to using pedal power to generate funds for a worthy cause.

He said: “Cycling is really new to me, so I’ve had to get used to sitting on a rock-hard saddle for hours at a time and use a road bike for the first time.

“This will definitely be one of the toughest challenges I’ve ever faced but, for such a good cause, it’s worth it.”

Heather Manson, director of fundraising at The Prince and Princess Hospice, who will also be taking part in the cycle challenge, added: “We are so close to completing the work on the new hospice.

“We just need that extra push to get us to the finish line and the Chamber has been a massive help with this.

“The Brick by Brick appeal was launched back in 2012 but we still have some time and some fundraising to go before we can start to move patients into our new home.

“The cycle is a great way to raise money for the completion of the hospice, while challenging ourselves personally along the way.”

Ross, Heather and team-mate Richard Muir are due to set off on September 13.

Their return ticket to London has been sponsored by Virgin and Ross is hoping some of his relatives will be able to join them at the finish line in Paris.

He said: “We finish on the Champs-Élysées. The first day, we aim to cycle 95 miles, which I can’t really imagine yet, but I just feel like I couldn’t say no to this opportunity.”

The team is looking to recruit more volunteers to join them on the cycle ride.

The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice offers a specialist palliative care service to people living in and around greater Glasgow.

To find out more about the hospice or support the fundraising efforts of Ross and his team, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ross-flockhart