MONTHS of training came good in France when a rugby league fan's marathon fundraising bike challenge came to an end.

Chris Hawkins had trained for five months ready for a sponsored, six-day 1,056-mile ride from Headingley in Leeds to Perpignan in south-west France.

Chris is the man behind XIII Heroes, a rugby league charity set up specifically to help young men like former Moldgreen player Danny Scott.

Danny, of Imperial Road, Marsh, severely damaged his spine in a tackle in the Moldgreen v Sowerby Spartans game on January 10 last year. The injury left him unable to move his arms or legs.

He is still receiving treatment for his injuries but is at home with his family.

The marathon cycle ride tied in with the Leeds v London game in the French city's Stade Aime Giral.

Danny's parents were at Headingley to see Chris off, as was Sky Sports presenter Angela Powers and former London Broncos player Matt King, who was paralysed at about the same time as Danny.

An exhausted Chris, who hails from Oldham, said: "The five months of training paid off.

"I was exhausted when I arrived in Perpignan - and it was just 30 minutes before the match kicked off."

Chris has also set up a raffle in aid of the charity.

The top prize for a £1 ticket is a trip to Australia.

Other prizes are tickets to the new Wembley stadium and items given by rugby league clubs.

Tickets can be bought by post from XIII Heroes, 11a Martin Avenue, Oldham OL4 5HF or by logging on to www.xiiiheroes.com