A JOURNALIST will this weekend join Channel Four news presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy to cycle from London to Paris in a day in aid of a children’s charity.

Saffron Walden father-of three Liam Halligan, former economics correspondent with the programme, will rejoin ex-colleagues for the marathon cycle, which will see the team power from the Channel 4 HQ in central London to the Eiffel Tower, covering over 200 miles within 24 hours, starting on Friday.

The event will raise funds for the Duchenne Children’s Trust, a charity aiming to find a cure within 10 years for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The condition is the most common genetic killer of children worldwide, and at the moment is always fatal. But now new research has uncovered potential treatments, and the charity hopes its work will accelerate efforts to save children’s lives.

Mr Halligan, 44, a regular weekend cyclist with friends from the town, said: “The Duchenne Children’s Trust was founded by a former Channel 4 news colleague whose son, Eli, was born with the disease. It’s an incredibly important cause, and it’s great to be joining my former workmates to raise funds.”

Training for the ride has already included a 150-mile cycle from London to Brighton and back - completed in well under 12 hours despite the thigh-burning obstacle of the South Downs.

“With luck, the London to Paris ride should be a bit easier, since we only cross the Downs once!” he said. “I’ve put in training whenever I can, but there’s no doubt it’s going to be a tough challenge after the lanes of Essex.”

The team, which also includes Channel 4’s chief executive and chairman, top executives from Google Europe and the former British Olympic 4x400m medalist Jamie Baulch, will break their ride with the ferry journey from Newhaven to Dieppe, before resuming their journey as soon as the ferry docks to stay within their deadline.

Walden cycle shop Newdales has helped with bike repairs, kit advice, and general encouragement.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Mr Halligan, who is hoping to raise £6,000, can visit his online sponsorshp page at https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/liamhalliganlondonparis.