Mention going for a ride from Blackpool Tower and most people would assume you were heading for the roller coasters at the Pleasure Beach.

But Keighley cyclist Shaun Harrison will instead be starting off a marathon six-day bike ride from the resort's famous tower to its alter ego in Paris, the Eiffel Tower.

The 36-year-old from Rawling Street, Ingrow, is among 21 cyclists taking part in the 500-mile ride at the end of this month to raise cash for the National Kidney Research Fund.

And waving him off from Blackpool will be wife Karen and daughters Katie, 13, and 11-year-old Laura.

Shaun, a boiler fitter with Byworth Boilers, said: "I've always fancied doing Land's End to John o' Groats, but then I saw a snippet in the Keighley News about the ride between the two towers.

"It will be a real challenge because we will be averaging about 80 and 100 miles a day, but it should be a great experience.

"We also get to ride on the same Paris circuit as the riders in the Tour de France, so we can all dream. Timothy Taylor's has given me a donation and a T-shirt so I might wear that as we head into Paris instead of the yellow jersey!"

A recent bit of family news has brought the cause closer to home for the family.

Karen, 36, said: "After Shaun decided to do the ride we heard that my cousin Tonia's son Dylan might have to have dialysis.

"It is an every day thing but it's just that people don't necessarily see it that way."

While Shaun -- a member of Keighley Road Club -- has been clocking up the miles around the Dales, Karen has been busy fundraising.

She has already raised the £1,500 minimum for the charity by holding collections and parties. Local organisations, including Ingrow Primary School, have also made donations.

They hope to pass the £3,000 mark and are inviting people to come along to a race night at The Snooty Fox, in Oakworth, today, from 8.30pm.

A collection will take place tomorrow at Morrisons, in Keighley.