WITH the £500,000 appeal for a Maggie's cancer caring centre in Nottingham tantalisingly close to its target, city council leader Jon Collins is getting on his bike to help out.

Coun Collins and Nigel Turpin, team leader of the council's urban design team, will embark on an epic 1,056-mile charity bike ride from Nottingham to the south of France on March 9.

Coun Collins' mother recovered after being diagnosed with breast cancer some years ago.

"It's something that touches most people's lives at one time or another," he said.

"It's often a bewildering and upsetting experience."

The Post is urging readers to help hit the £500,000 Maggie's target by the third anniversary of the appeal launch on February 14. With the total currently standing at £488,907, there is £11,093 to go.

Cash raised by Coun Collins and Mr Turpin will go towards meeting the overall £3m cost of building the centre and running it.

They will be given a send-off from Old Market Square before heading to London where they will meet up with 80 cyclists on a six-day Cycle to Cannes challenge.

The cyclists, all professionals in development, architecture or planning, are heading to the world's biggest property fair, MIPIM.

They will arrive in time for the opening ceremony on March 16.

Coun Collins and Mr Turpin – cycling under the team name Invest in Nottingham – will then swap their Lycra for business suits to join the rest of the Nottingham's public and private sector representatives there, to promote the city as a primary investment location.

Last year Coun Collins cycled 350 miles from Paris to Nottingham to raise money for the Danielle Beccan Trust, set up in memory of the 14-year-old who was shot dead after a night at Goose Fair.

This journey will be three times the distance, so what will keep him going through the pain barrier?

"I listen to my iPod. I like challenges and there is something very enjoyable about cycling ."

Mr Turpin, who once cycled 800 miles to Barcelona, uses mind over matter and believes the cyclists will spur each other on.

It's amazing how the team ethic works," he said.

Raleigh will supply bikes and accessories for the city duo, and they are being sponsored by Nottingham law firm Geldards, whose marketing director David Standard is son of the late Nottingham cycling legend Sid Standard.

David, a former captain of the Great Britain cycling team, said: "As well as the demands made upon them physically from riding day after day, it will also be a mental challenge especially as the French hills start to rise in front of them.

"However, I have a feeling Jon and Nigel have put the training in to see them arrive in Cannes on time and in good shape."

Gary Mather, a former racing cyclist who runs new online business DiscoverCycling.com in Nottingham, will be providing technical support.

He said: "The key thing for both riders will be that they have the right kit to see them through."

To sponsor the duo go to www.bmycharity.com/V2/teamInvestinNottingham.

lynette.pinchess@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk