Two cousins are gearing up for a gruelling cross Channel cycle challenge to fight diabetes.

Anish Patel, from Edgware, and his cousin Paresh Patel, from Wembley, will be cycling nearly 300 miles from London to Paris to raise money for Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation.

The pair, who will be taking on the Global Adventure Challenge from July 20 to July 24, will finish the ride in the French capital just before the finale of the Tour de France.

Anish, who has type 2 diabetes, is aiming to fundraise £1470 to fund the ride and raise £735 for the charity. So far he has raised over £700.

He said: "I am so proud to take on this challenge and support Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation.

"Diabetes is something I have read a lot about because I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2014.

"I’ve made some pretty big life changes and was given the all clear after six months.

"However diabetes is quite common throughout our wider family, unfortunately we’ve had many family member suffer from diabetes and also lost their lives because of it.

"We know type 2 diabetes is more prevalent amongst the Asian community so we are both keen to continue to improve our fitness and take on a wonderful challenge.

"If we can raise as much money as possible to help a very worthy cause the challenge will be very worthwhile."

The cousins will set off from London on the 295-mile, four-day bike ride, organised by Global Adventure Challenges, which will take them through the Kent countryside to Dover, before crossing the Channel to Dunkirk.

The route then uses quiet French country lanes, through traditional market towns with views of the rolling, green fields of northern France, passing the war memorials and cemeteries of the Somme.

Finaly the cousins will cycle up the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe, following in the tyre tracks of the cycling greats, before watching them cycle the same route the next day in the finale of the Tour de France.

Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation chief executive officer, Sarah Bone, said: "We are delighted Anish and his cousin Paresh have chosen us as their charity for this amazing challenge. We look forward to seeing their photos under the Arc de Triomphe.

"Cycling is an excellent form of exercise, especially for people with type 2 diabetes. It can be started at any pace and with perseverance will improve their overall health and their diabetes control."