Kenilworth, Warwickshire – Two friends from Kenilworth are embarking on an aspiring 24-hour cycling challenge from London to Paris to raise funds for vital health charities. Ziyad Azad, 27, and aaron Moloney, 26, aim to collect £1,000 for the British Thyroid Foundation and Kidney Research UK.
The pair’s journey into cycling was spurred by personal health experiences. Mr. moloney faced a thyroid cancer scare, while Mr. Azad sought to address significant weight issues that had impacted his quality of life, including breathlessness and being borderline diabetic at age 18, when he weighed 155kg (24st).
Their fundraising effort is scheduled to commence on September 15th.
mr. Moloney’s health scare involved discovering a lump on his neck, which necessitated seven months of biopsies and subsequent surgery. He described the experience as “scary.” Adding to his motivation,Mr. Moloney also lost his grandfather in 2024 to a rare kidney disease, a man he described as previously “fit and healthy.”
Mr.Azad highlighted how his weight had previously affected his daily life, making simple activities like walking difficult due to breathlessness. He also noted the looming health risks, stating, “I had so many health issues that were incoming if I didn’t do something about it.”
‘A Pact for Change’
Following mr. Moloney’s thyroid cancer scare, the friends made a New Year’s resolution pact to commit to a healthier lifestyle. Cycling emerged as their chosen activity, providing an opportunity for both exercise and conversation.
as their cycling fitness improved, their ambitions grew from local rides to exploring destinations like Wales and the Peak District. The idea of cycling to Paris was initially a lighthearted suggestion that quickly evolved into a concrete plan.
“We’re using this challenge not only to push ourselves physically but to raise awareness and funds for the amazing work these charities do,” Mr. Moloney stated, underscoring their dual purpose of personal achievement and charitable contribution.
