‘Never say never’ - Dame Laura Kenny details 2024 Paris Olympics pursuit while supporting heroic cycling fundraiser

It's not everyday you meet a real life superhero, let alone have two in the same room at the same time.

Britain’s most decorated female cyclist Dame Laura Kenny needs little further introduction. On Tuesday, the five-time Olympic champion attended a charity luncheon on the top floor of the exquisite El Gato Negro Tapas in central Manchester.

The 31-year-old briefly cradled her bump as she entered the room, her second child on the way. Life has not been a smooth ride over the past 18 months and after hearing her journey through that time, there is no doubting that she is a true superwoman.

Meanwhile, the perhaps lesser known Professor Rob Wynn is an ironman in his own right for his 25-year heroics at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, where he is the Director of the Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Programme.

After cycling from London to Paris for charity in time for Liverpool FC’s Champions League final with Real Madrid 12 month ago, the 57-year-old is taking it up a gear this summer. He and 24 other amateur riders are foreshadowing the Tour de France by cycling the 3,500km circuit a week early.

He is raising awareness on behalf of Cure Leukaemia - the sport event’s charity partner - with the aim of helping children in Manchester gain access to a wide range of alternative cancer treatments should regular courses be unresponsive.

“Over 25 years I’ve seen a huge change in outcomes so that most children with leukaemia or having a transplant do get cured of their disease. But most isn’t enough,” he underlines.

“These next years are about how we can help cure all of the kids with leukaemia and those who need transplants. When I look at the world now, there are huge numbers of treatments and it’s about getting those