A 75-year-old has renewed his plea for sponsorship as he gears up for a charity bike ride from London to Paris on September 3.

Chessington resident Bernard Smith spent 22 years in the RAF and is completing the gruelling mission for the Poppy Appeal, on behalf of the Royal British Legion.

Despite his age, he has no doubts he will finish the ride and has nothing but excitement in him.

He said: "I'm really looking forward to it, I can't wait to get out there. One man wrote on the back of an envelope that he'd give me money if I finished. I crossed it out and wrote 'when'."

Mr Smith spent some of his younger years as a postman so he is well used to being on a bike and is clued up on how to avoid saddle sore.

Even so, he has been warned.

He said: "One man wrote to me and said 'good luck Bernie, don't get A S bum'. He meant a sore bum, which made me laugh."

For information on how to sponsor Mr Smith, call 020 8391 5855.

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