A PARALYMPIC torch bearer from Widnes with only 20 per cent of a regular person’s lung capacity will tackle a 42km cycle to raise money for charity.

Mark Allen, aged 41, of Deidre Avenue, suffers from cystic fibrosis, diabetes and has had a double lung transplant, but none of that will stop him from raising money for the charities close to him.

He will start two days of cycling at Widnes DW Sports on Monday and all the money raised will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and the Freeman Heart and Lung Transplant Association.

Mark said: “I’ve always had cystic fibrosis but it was made worse by infection caught during three years of travelling abroad. I was taken ill and ended up hearing my last rites, but thankfully I survived.”

Since his double lung transplant Mark has represented Great Britain, playing table tennis and winning gold in the European and British Transplant Games, which are held all over Europe.

Mark, who also carried the Paralympic torch on the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics, has chosen to cycle 42km to represent the average life expectancy of someone with cystic fibrosis.

The length of the cycle is thought to be the equivalent of more than 200km for a person with regularly capable lungs.

To sponsor Mark for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust visit virginmoneygiving.com/Mark_allen71 or to sponsor him for the Freeman Heart and Lung Association, visit justgiving.com/Markallen71.