FORGET yellow jerseys, it’s the blue one people are being urged to look out for when a doctor pedals 300 miles from London to Paris in aid of Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice.

Phyllis Tuckwell’s Dr Nick Dando will be taking on the cycling challenge in September, to mark both the charity’s 40th anniversary and his own 40th birthday, and to raise money to help fund the vital supportive and end of life care which Phyllis Tuckwell provides.

As a consultant in palliative medicine at the hospice, Nick has seen the difference hospice care can make to those who are living with an advanced or terminal illness, such as cancer.

His challenge became unexpectedly more poignant in February though, when his mum was diagnosed with cancer.

She died at home six weeks later, and Nick and his family experienced first-hand the importance of enabling people to achieve their wish for a peaceful death in the home they love, surrounded by their family and their memories.

Nick said: “Seeing the wonderful care that my mum received has made me even more passionate about the importance of hospice care.

“I want to celebrate my 40th by raising money for Phyllis Tuckwell in its 40th year, to help it continue providing this invaluable support for local patients and their families.

“Every pedal stroke will also be in memory of my dear mum.”

Nick is hoping to raise £1,000, enough to cover the costs of a hospice care at home nurse for more than a week.

Keep up with Nick’s progress on Phyllis Tuckwell’s Facebook page, where he will post photos and updates throughout the challenge, which will start in London on September 18 and finish 300 miles later in Paris on September 22.

And if anyone sees him out training in his blue Phyllis Tuckwell jersey, give him a cheer!

Donations can be made online at justgiving.com/fundraising/nicholas-dando1.