A FORMER Wrexham Council chief is cycling a stage of the Tour de France to raise money for charity.

Trever Coxon, who left Wrexham Council in 2018 is taking part in the ride in aid of Prostate Cancer UK, after he beat prostate cancer in 2014.

This will not be the first time Mr Coxon has taken on the stage, having cycled 117 miles from Mont St Michael in Brittany to Utah Beach in Normandy in 2016 and cycling more than 120 miles in the famed Grand Depart of the Tour de France in 2018.

He said: "In May 2014, I was successfully treated for prostate cancer after being diagnosed via a routine PSA blood test. I was one of the lucky ones.

"Following my successful treatment, I have willingly devoted some of the time I have been given to raising funds for Prostate Cancer UK who are dedicated​ to supporting victims of this disease and their families and funding further research to try and eradicate premature deaths from this disease within 10 years.

"So for the third time in four years, next June I shall be riding the 120 mile first stage of the Tour de France starting from Brussels and taking in some of the iconic cobbles and climbs of Flanders.

"I am seeking to raise £1,000 at least between now and June 2019. So this is where I ask you, my friends, family, colleagues and acquaintances, once again to consider supporting me to raise funds for this very worthy cause.

"Sadly one in eight men will be afflicted by this disease in their lifetime and for some ethnic groups and those with a family history the odds can shorten to one in four. So the chances are you will know someone who is, will be or has been affected by this disease.

To raise added awareness of his charity fundraiser, Trevor will be riding the equivalent of his trip on an exercise bike this weekend at Tesco and Morrisons in Wrexham

He added: "This weekend those lovely people at Tesco and Morrisons are allowing me to set up my exercise bike and collect on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

"I am aiming to ride the equivalent of the first stage of the Tour de France on my exercise bike so if you are shopping at Tesco on Saturday or Morrisons Sunday, give me a wave, stick some cash in my buckets and it will fuel my effort.

"If you cannot make it please consider posting on my JustGiving page please. In total I have collected about £240 so far so I have £760 to go."

To contribute to Trevor's fundraiser, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/trevor-coxon4