A New Cross consultant gynaecologist is set to tackle the double challenge of a 104-mile charity bike ride and a £5,000 sponsorship target.

And surgeon Chris Mann, will be doing it to raise money for patients through the Endometriosis SHE Trust – an organization close to his heart.

Chris is president of the national charity,  which offers help and comfort to the one in ten women who suffer from this debilitating condition of the womb, and is based at the hospital. The disease causes agonizing pelvic pain and often infertility.

“I see women who have really been through the mill,” explains the 49-year-old doctor, whose laparscopic skills (keyhole surgery on the abdomen) are nationally recognized.

“I want GPs to keep looking for signs of endometriosis and women to press for answers. They must not assume regular torment is normal.”

But torment of a different kind is what Chris will be inviting when he takes part in the 104-mile Wolverhampton to Aberdovey Bike Ride on June 18.

It starts in the city’s Queen Street and heads in a six-hour frenzy over the Cambrian mountains to the Welsh coast.

Chris has been putting in ten hours of training a week by biking from his home in Harborne, Birmingham, to various hospitals throughout the Midlands, by using a special indoor trainer and by going out with a cycling club at weekends.

“It’s no easy ride,” says Chris. “Last year’s ride was in a full-on head wind for six hours in the pouring rain.”

“I was delighted to finish fifth out of 200 cyclists so would dearly love to do even better. But what I would love even more would be to reach my £5,000 target for the SHE Trust which does such a good job helping women everywhere.

“In fact, so strong is my support for its efforts that I also hope to be taking part in the Great North Swim later in the year, which will have another £5,000 target.

“£10,000 would make such a difference to the charity which can help transform women’s lives entirely.” For the charity see www.shetrust.org.uk and to sponsor Chris go to www.justgiving.com/CMannRide2010