Two friends who planned to cycle from London to Paris to raise funds for The Christie at Macclesfield have not let coronavirus restrictions deter them from their quest – by cycling the same distance round the leafy lanes of Cheshire.

Jason Gardner, 48, and Robbie Cross, 50, were due to cycle to the French capital in August, cycling 320 miles over four days.

However, due to the coronavirus pandemic the pair will now ride the exact same distance and elevation around the roads of Cheshire instead to raise funds for the Christie at Macclesfield centre which is due to open next year.

They will swap the grandeur of Parisian sights such as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe for more familiar landmarks like Bollington's White Nancy and the impressive telescope at Jodrell Bank.

Jason, who lives in Bollington with his wife Loraine and son Tyler, said: "Robbie's currently working out a route, which will hopefully take in some local landmarks that will substitute for the ones we would have seen on the way to Paris.

"We hope that local people and businesses will cheer us on our way, and provide some donation towards our fundraising targets.

"I'm lucky that neither I nor my family have yet been directly affected by cancer but I know many who have and have witnessed how devastating it can be. I've also seen how courageous and brave and inspirational people can be when faced with cancer.

"But to beat cancer requires help. That's where The Christie charity comes in. For me, fundraising for The Christie is about the future. I hope that they are in Macclesfield to provide me, my family and my friends with support – in the event we need it."

Robbie, who lives in Macclesfield with his partner Melanie and three children, Elliot, Jasmine and Bradley, said: "I've had many close friends and family members that have been affected by cancer and having Christie care in Macclesfield would make a huge difference to many people's lives."

Robbie, is also a keen musician and the pair are planning some future fundraising events after their bike ride.

The Christie at Macclesfield, which received planning approval last year, will transform cancer care in East Cheshire, providing care closer to home for more than 1,500 patients a year. Existing Christie patients from Cheshire, North Staffordshire and the High Peak area of Derbyshire will all benefit.

The new centre will also bring together essential cancer services into one purpose-built unit delivering local specialist access to radiotherapy, chemotherapy, holistic support and information services, outpatient care, palliative care and a wider range of clinical trials.

Work on the two storey building is expected to begin next month with completion in August 2021.

Liz Williams, sporting events manager at The Christie said: "We are delighted that Jason and Rob are still going ahead with their ride, albeit in more familiar surroundings.

"The support of fundraisers like these is vital for us and we are extremely happy that they have adapted their ride and it can still go ahead.

"We would urge anybody worried about future events to get in contact with us as there are a lot of new ways in which people can still get involved."

The Christie charity supports the work of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust providing enhanced services over and above what the NHS funds. This includes money for care and treatment, research, education and extra patient services. Gifts from the public make a huge difference to the care and treatment that The Christie is able to provide to patients and their families.

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust was the first specialist trust to be rated as 'Outstanding' twice (in 2016 and 2018) by the health regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC). It referred to The Christie as 'a leader in cancer care' and 'a pioneer in developing innovative solutions to cancer care.'

The CQC praised the Trust's staff which it said 'go the extra mile to meet the needs of patients and their families' and that they were 'exceptionally kind and caring.' In 2017, the CQC rated The Christie as the best specialist trust in the country, and one of the top three trusts overall in England.

To sponsor Rob, click here and for Jason, click here.