A paramedic who suffered severe injuries in a cycling accident is now embarking on a nearly 900-mile bike ride from Rotterdam to Nice.
Jack Talbot, 31, from Ulverston, is undertaking the epic journey to witness the final stage of this year's Tour de France.
Set to begin on July 12, he hopes to complete the journey in just nine days.
Mr Talbot is not only testing his endurance but also raising money for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).
Andy Dalton, GNAAS paramedic; Jack Talbot; Joanna Daniels, Jack's wife and GNAAS doctor Laura Duffy (Image: Supplied)
The charity helped him when he needed it most, in July 2017, when he was involved in a serious collision with a car while out riding in Ulverston.
The accident left him with a serious brain injury, a T7 spinal fracture, a broken shoulder blade, rib fractures and a collapsed lung.
His colleagues from the North West Ambulance Service, alongside a doctor and paramedic team from GNAAS, treated Mr Talbot, who was put into a medically-induced coma on the spot, after which he was airlifted to Royal Preston Hospital.
There, he stayed in a medically induced coma for 13 days and remained in the hospital for five weeks.
Jack Talbot is a paramedic from Ulverston (Image: Supplied)
Fortunately, he made an inspiring recovery.
He said: "I had the idea to complete this mega cycle challenge last week to raise money for GNAAS, and things have spiralled from there.
"I'm completing this ride totally self-supported, and it's without a doubt the most insane and scary thing I've ever done."
This cycling tour will stretch across the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and finally reach Nice, where Mr Talbot is set to watch the Tour de France's final stage on July 21.
Mr Talbot in hospital with his wife Joanna (Image: Supplied)
He's hoping to raise £1,000, and has already managed to raise £195 even before the daunting expedition has begun.
He said: "I'm raising money for GNAAS after they saved my life in 2017, and so they can go on to save lives like mine."
You can sponsor Mr Talbot's ride and contribute to GNAAS by visiting his JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/page/jack2nice
The charity needs to raise £8.5m annually to keep operational.
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