A retired local vicar has today (September 7) had his grand depart as he sets off on a major cycling challenge all in aid of a charity close to his heart.

Jim Perryman's 'Tours de France' got underway as friends and well-wishers waved him off at Kenilworth Railway Station from which he began his journey to France where he will cycle 450km in just seven days.

The former Leek Wootton vicar's two-wheeled challenge is in aid mainly of Colostomy UK, a charity he has received help from over the past few years since having a stoma bag fitted.

Jim had major abdominal surgery just months after his previous fundraising expedition to France in 2022 which saw him ride from Taizé, in the Burgundy hills, to Tours, mainly along the 'Loire à Vélo' cycle route.

A few weeks after returning from that he spent four days in hospital with major digestive issues, before going back several times after the following months.

Eventually Jim had much of his sigmoid colon removed and a stoma bag fitted thanks to the "wonderful care at Warwick Hospital".

But now, he says the bag has improved his quality of life.

"I have got used to the stoma and I have not had any serious issues," he told Nub News.

"I have been skiing, I have been walking in the Alps.

"In many ways it has given me a new lease of life.

"Many of the issues I was used to over the years aren't troubling me any more."

Jim - who is not actually a regular cyclist - is set to reach France tomorrow where he will begin the 450km route from Tours to Ouistreham, heading on from where he finished four years before, on the same bike he used in 2022.

Stopping at campsites on his route, Jim is carrying all his equipment on his bike as he takes on the epic challenge.

"I think they [the confidence levels] are ok," he continued.

"Even though two of the days are actually further than I have ever cycled in a day, they are not that horrendous.

"It's four or five hours cycling and I have eight or nine hours to do it in - I am giving myself space!"

Jim also explained the importance of Colostomy UK, which provides support to people of all ages who have bags - of different types - fitted.

As well as providing support and information, the charity is also working to raise awareness and improve public facilities for people with colostomy bags fitted.

"They are absolutely brilliant," Jim said.

"They have got a fantastic website with so much information. I have used it a fair bit.

"You question what is happening and whether it is serious, but you can go on and look. They are really great."

He continued: "One of their biggest projects at the moment is trying to get stoma-friendly accessible toilets.

"The toilets are there for the disabled, all the signs are for people in wheelchairs, so you get some very funny looks when you appear to be a perfectly abled-bodied person going in.

"Because they are geared up for people in wheelchairs, most of the time if you are going in to change a bag, you end up sitting on the floor, having to lay your stuff out on the floor."

Having already raised over £2,000, Jim is also donating some of the money to three other charities.

Friends of the Holy Land, based at Kenilworth Baptist Church, Intercontinental Church Society, based in Coventry and Agape France - who Jim has a personal connection to having met some of the members while a chaplain in France - will all also receive some of the money.

Jim was waved off this morning by friends as well as the MP for Kenilworth and Southam, Sir Jeremy Wright, and Deputy Mayor of Kenilworth, Cllr Mark Stevens.

He has also thanked sponsors Coventry City FC, West Midlands Railway, Billericay Town FC, Mike Vaughan Cycles and the Ship & Castle Pub for their support.

"Despite the minor inconvenience of requiring a colostomy bag on my stomach, I have been blessed with a full recovery following the excellent care I received, and have since been able to enjoy life fully including skiing, hiking, gym workouts and cycling – as well as working two busy part-time jobs until I retired in 2025," Jim wrote on his fundraising page.

"As I approach my 70th birthday, I want to give thanks for the care and support I received by raising funds, primarily, for the main UK Stoma Support charity, Colostomy UK, and I ask you to help me in this by sponsoring me on this challenging ride."

To donate or to find out more, click here.