A KINVER man is into the final stages of a fundraising cycle ride which will turn pedal power into pounds.

Rhodri Parfitt began the 1,000 Mile Commute for Alzheimer’s Research UK in November and will complete the challenge if he covers the total distance by the end of January.

He has been on the road throughout the winter, cycling regularly to build up the miles towards his total but the going has not always been easy.

Rhodri said: "A branch in the road led me to crash head first into a ditch, ice caused me to come off sideways and land on my backside and a puncture forced me to abandon my bike.

"It was too cold to fix it so I ran 3km back to my house to get my car - in full cycle gear including my helmet."

Rhodri says he has had fantastic support from family and friends however at one point his pet pooch Shep was in the doghouse for eating his master's Tom Tom watch.

The 29-year-old physiotherapist chose to support the alzheimer's charity after family members were affected by the condition but also because of his work.

He added: "Working in the health sector I have seen so many people who's lives are effectively brought to a premature end; and so much of it may be avoidable with healthier lifestyles and greater awareness of what contributes to the disease - which is what Alzheimer's UK aim to do."

To make a donation visit Rhodri's page here