West Berkshire men make it to Paris in charity cycle ride

Mark Thompson, aged 35, from Hungerford, but now living in Wiltshire, has been organising fundraising events for cancer charities following the death of his father, Ian, in 2009.
His latest challenge saw him cycle 320 miles to Paris, with his friends Matt Savory, aged 36, of Hungerford, and Roger Davis, aged 42, of Newbury, who was cycling in memory of his late father-in-law, Mike.
The ride was completed in three days, but unfortunately Mr Savory had to stop on day two after a reoccurrence of a knee injury.
Mr Thompson junior said: “It’s really heart-wrenching what happened to Matt. He had been hampered for two or three months by a knee injury and had been receiving intensive physio in the build up, but unfortunately it flared up. He attempted to continue on day two but lasted just over an hour before being forced to stop permanently.
“Cycling through Paris was a scary experience, but there was real excitement when we were riding along the Champs Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe first came into view.
“My dad was in my thoughts throughout the three days and I had a tear in my eye when we got to the finish.”
The trio’s cycle ride has taken Mr Thompson junior’s fundraising total to £7,204 for the Pancreatic Cancer UK and the Newbury and District Cancer Care Trust, who cared for Mr Thompson senior when he was diagnosed with cancer.
Mr Thompson junior has also organised a charity football match in memory of his father, who played for Hungerford Town Football Club during the 1970s and ran a youth side at the club.
The match, between Hungerford Juniors 'Old Boys' and Hungerford Town Veterans XI, will be at Hungerford Town Football Club on May 6, with a 2pm kick off.
After the game there will be an auction, including signed football memorabilia from clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal and Reading.
To donate money to the group, visit www.teamthommo.com