A DUNFERMLINE barman who lost 17 STONES is now set to cycle 185 miles for charity.

Calum Paterson is used to pulling pints but now he's looking to pedal to Paris as part of a challenge set by Wetherspoons.

In May next year, the 27-year-old will travel to London before setting off for the French capital to raise funds for Young Lives vs Cancer.

It is a feat he would not have been able to achieve six years ago, at the age of 21, when he weighed 34 stones.

"I was struggling to even get up the stairs," he told the Press.

"I've got a son so I knew I needed to better myself.

"I woke up one morning and I decided to start going to the gym and that was that, really – I've now lost 17 stone."

The life-changing achievement will now help him in his quest to raise £1,600 for Young Lives vs Cancer, the charity formerly known as CLIC Sargent.

He picked up cycling during lockdown last year and although he has racked up well over 1,500 miles over the past 12 months, he hasn't attempted any challenge like this.

"When I heard about it I just decided to give it a bash", he said.

"It's been organised by Wetherspoons across of all of its pubs, and I think I'm the only one of the 50 taking part that's from Scotland.

"I'm not nervous about it but I guess I'm a bit wary as this is not something I've done before. I am looking forward to it though as it's for a great cause and my better half is going to meet me in Paris at the end, too.

"I'll be able to train on the bike in the gym during the winter months when the weather gets worse but I'm hoping that at around February or March I'll be able to get outside on the bike as it's totally different from cycling inside.

"At the gym you don't have any of the rain, wind and hills to battle against!"

Starting on May 12 from Paul's House in London – a haven for families when their child is going through cancer treatment – Calum and colleagues from across the UK will head south for Newhaven, where they will board the ferry to France.

Day two sill see them leave the overnight stop in Dieppe, tackling the rolling hills of Northern France. They'll pass through miles of open countryside all the way to the last stop before Paris, in the historic town of Beauvais.

The last day will be spent pedalling for Paris, following the river Seine for some time before winding through the city and finishing at the Eiffel Tower.

To donate to Calum's fundraising page, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/calumpunter1994-paterson