Kenilworth friends plan Paris charity cycle after health scares

Two friends have set themselves the challenge of cycling from London to Paris within 24 hours for charity.

Ziyad Azad and Aaron Moloney, both from Kenilworth, Warwickshire, want to raise money for two charities, the British Thyroid Foundation and Kidney Research UK. They have set themselves a goal of £1,000.

The pair both had health reasons for taking up cycling. Mr Moloney, 26, had a thyroid cancer scare while Mr Azad, 27, said he had many issues incoming with his health if he did not do something about his weight. He said he had weighed 155kg (24st) at age 18.

The duo are set to depart London on 15 September.

Mr Moloney discovered a lump on his neck leading to seven months of biopsies before having surgery to remove it.

“I was fine and then I wasn’t. It was scary, I was scared,” he said.

He also lost his previously “fit and healthy” grandad to a rare kidney disease in 2024.

Mr Azad said his weight had impacted his quality of life, such as running out of breath while walking.

“And at 18, I was borderline diabetic. I had so many health issues that were incoming if I didn’t do something about it.”

He added: “After Aaron had his thyroid cancer scare when December rolled around we made a pact to have a new years’ resolution and to stick to it.”

The men started with cycling and quickly found it was an easy way to chat to one another while exercising.

Mr Azad said: “As the weeks went on we got better and faster on our bike rides so we said we’d go to Wales or the Peak District.

“And I then I think it was Aaron who randomly mentioned, ‘shall we just ride to Paris?’

“It was a joke but we turned that joke into reality.”

“We’re using this challenge not only to push ourselves physically but to raise awareness and funds for the amazing work these charities do,” Mr Moloney said.