A Beckenham dad is cycling from London to Paris to fund research in the hope of curing type one diabetes.

Andrew Stroud's 12-year-old daughter, Bia, was diagnosed with type one diabetes seven years ago.

The dad told News Shopper: “I didn’t know anything about it and it was a real shock. It is a relentless illness.

“Her blood sugars need to be checked six to eight times a day and we have to check her blood sugar levels when she is asleep.”

Andrew was one of the founders of Diabetes Dads – a group who fundraise research for their children’s diabetes.

In 2017 – Andrew and daughter Bia cycled from Hayes to Brighton, raising £14,000 along the way.

“I am very proud of her,” Andrew said. “People were very inspired by that. Diagnosis is not the end of your life.

“I try to be positive. It is not going away so we just have to get a cure.”

The Diabetes Dads have raised thousands of pounds by going on charity cycles, but this year they are taking part in their biggest challenge to date.

The group of 12 dads will ride from London to Paris over four days.

They have so far raised £4,000 of their £5,000 goal for the charity JDRF.

“I’m looking forward to it actually,” Andrew said ahead of the cycle starting on May 24.

“I am based in Beckenham and I work in Teddington so I have been trying to cycle there as much as I can.”

You can follow the Diabetes Dads JustGiving page here https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/diabetes-dads