A man whose wife suffers from a debilitating disease cycled hundreds of miles to help boost funds for a special therapy centre.

Alan Nelson and his friend Trevor Chapman joined a team of five other men to cycle from London to Paris in three days.

The 43-year-old from Norwich decided to take up the challenge to raise funds for the MS Therapy Centre in Chedgrave, near Loddon.

Mr Nelson's wife Claire has multiple sclerosis (MS) and the centre, which gets no government funding, provides hyperbaric oxygen therapy which helps alleviate the symptoms of the condition.

The event saw the financial adviser cycle 295 miles in three days.

Mr Nelson and Mr Chapman raised more than �5,200 for the cash-strapped facility and presented a cheque to the centre last Friday.

Father-of-three Mr Nelson, who lives in Thorpe End, said: 'People have given so generously. We had expectations of bringing in �1,000 but neither of us thought we would raise more than �2,000 so were are absolutely thrilled.

'The cycle ride itself was absolutely fantastic.

'It was ludicrously cold at times but the final day, going into Paris, was exhilarating and I would do it again tomorrow if I could.'

Mr Nelson, who has two sons, Billy and Daniel, and a daughter, Amy, completed the challenge with his friend Mr Chapman plus Vinnie O'Neill, Lloyd Perkin, Pete Hazell, Mark Wilson and Andrew Russell.

The team left London on October 20 and cycled into the French capital on October 22.

Mr Nelson, whose wife was diagnosed with MS in 1999, said: 'I had been thinking about doing the London to Paris cycle ride for a while and the other lads were going to do it anyway but I didn't want to leave Claire and the kids. When I told Claire about it though, she insisted I went so I went for it.

'Claire has been such an inspiration to the people at the Chedgrave MS Centre because she is always chirpy.

'She is a wonderful person to have around.'

Are you doing something amazing for charity? Call reporter Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 or email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk.