A MAN living with blood cancer is to cycle from Amsterdam to Grassington – after being inspired by the ‘Calendar Girls’ of Rylstone Women’s Institute.

Fifty-year-old Paul Carless, who was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia in 2014, is to start the the ride of 368 miles with his friend Tom Stockwell on Tuesday, July 10, and has a scheduled date to finish at the village’s Yorkshire Dales National Park Centre at around 3pm on July 14. They are raising money for blood cancer charity Bloodwise.

The pair, from Reading, have received messages of support from the original Calendar Girls, and from Gary Barlow and Tim Firth, the writers of the hit musical based on the WI members’ story.

Some of the Calendar Girls will join the cyclists when they arrive in Grassington for a short ceremony at the centre, which will be followed by tea and cake at Church House.

Paul said: “I was involved with the ‘Calendar Girls’ West End musical, selling merchandise and holding collecting buckets after the performances.

“One of the lyrics from the opening song of the show is about a flower truck that drove ‘from Amsterdam to Yorkshire....’

“That inspired this year’s challenge!

“We try to raise funds for Bloodwise to support its research into finding cures for all blood cancers, to raise awareness of blood cancer and to prove that it’s possible to live life as fully as possible despite having cancer.

“This challenge also salutes the Calendar Girls for inspiring me, and is a way of saying thanks for everything they have done for blood cancer patients like me.”

Since diagnosis Paul has undertaken a series of fundraising challenges with his friend Tom, who is 42.

The finish line was suggested by the original Calendar Girl, Angela Baker, whose late husband John Baker was a Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority officer.

His death in July 1998 from blood cancer led to the idea of producing the famous calendar.

Take That star Gary Barlow said: “Here’s a shout out to Paul for his intrepid venture. Let’s just hope he doesn’t take any inspiration from further on in the song and try to do it loaded with flowers. In fact let’s hope he doesn’t take any inspiration from anywhere further on in the show, and try to do it naked! All our best wishes– we hope to see him over a fundraising bucket very soon.”