Fitness fanatic Tom Morton is closing in on his £1,600 fundraising target after spending a gruelling three days in the saddle peddling over 250 miles on the Professional Cricketers' Association charity bike ride from London to Paris.

The former South Wilts batting record holder, who switched to play for his local side Sarisbury Athletic last May, was among 38 current cricketers who took part in the ride to raise funds for the Professional Cricketers' Trust created to support the lifelong health and wellbeing of members and their families.

A fitness fanatic who participates in triathlons among other events, Morton backed the fundraising bike ride following a brush with cancer.

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He explained: "Back in February 2018, I walked off a rugby field thinking that a high tackle caused swelling in my neck. It had nothing to do with rugby and two years later I was in Southampton General Hospital successfully being treated for Thyroid Cancer.

"As part of the recovery process I got into open-water swimming which, one year after the operation, developed into training for the Eastbourne triathlon.

"I now see every June as an opportunity to challenge myself physically. Cricket has been my life and given me so much, so I'm happy to give something back to the sport I love."

Tom said what a "a great experience" the bike ride was, adding: "There were definitely a few hills where I wondered what I was thinking when I signed up for the challenge, but looking back it was all very worthwhile and I'm delighted to have supported such a worthy cause."

After 257 miles and multiple hills, the 38 riders crossed the finish line on the Champs-Élysées in front of the famous Arc de Triomphe in the French capital.

As the riders completed the epic challenge, the flagship event for the Trust in 2023 had raised over £38,000 for the players’ charity.

Tom added: "It seemed pretty daunting at the start but it was really good fun and the driving factor is obviously the money that we’ve raised for a great cause in the Trust. Having everyone under the Arc de Triomphe was great and I’m sure everyone was extremely sore afterwards.

Sponsor him at justgiving.com/fundraising/tom-morton8?utm_source=copyLink&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=tom-morton8&utm_campaign=pfp-share&utm_term=7a45227ce7774eb7ab9abc4c215459c5