Turning 50 has proved to be a life-changing moment for Paul Humphries in more ways than one after his wife gave him an extraordinary birthday present by setting him 50 challenges.

Paul, of Ashbee Gardens, Beltinge was given his list ‘Paulie’s 50 things to do while you’re 50’ by wife Kerry, which is now pinned up in the couple’s kitchen.

Over the coming year, he will be looking to ride a rollercoaster, cook a roast dinner, get a tattoo, climb a mountain, have a skiing lesson and much more.

On Friday, he will tick one challenge off the list when he cycles from London to Paris with his friend Jack Neale, 35, to raise money for The Children’s Trust.

A keen cyclist, Paul said the 320km ride, which will take him and Jack about three days to complete, will be the biggest of his life.

They said they wanted to raise money for charity which supports disabled children because they are fortunate to take part in family activities with their children.

After having booked the ride a few months ago, he jokingly said to his wife that it should added to the list sparking off the idea which led to the other 49 tasks.

Father-of-four Paul, who turned 50 at the end of May, said: “It was definitely a half joke. I’ve done a few cycle rides for charities over the years but this is slightly bigger so I said ‘You can add that to the list.' "

“When we were talking about it I thought it was a bit tongue in cheek. I certainly didn’t expect there to be 50 things.

“There’s all sort of things on there from cooking a roast dinner, grow a moustache to going into Whitstable to eat an oyster. I have had no input at all.
“I only recently turned 50, so I have just got into it.”

So far he has completed three out of his 50 challenges, including a visit to London’s trendy ice bar and taking the kids to and from school.

Mr Humphries, who runs an internet business selling bicycles, and Mr Neale have so far raised £2,000 but are looking to add another thousand.

Jack, of Barnes Way, added: “I have done some work for the charity before and the work they do is incredible. I think because I have a young family it touched me. We really want people to dig deep and support us.”

To make a donation visit www.justgiving.com/paul-humphriessc or www.justgiving.com/jack-neale0. For more information on The Children’s Trust visit www.thecildrenstrust.org.uk.