FUNDRAISER Phil Wiggins is edging closer to finishing his epic journey this month.

However, Phil's aim to run, swim and cycle 6,000 miles before his 41st birthday almost went awry thanks to a spill during a bike ride in Wales.

Phil was riding in the closed road bike race Etape Cymru last month when he was one of many cyclists to fall in a major crash.

He said: "I ended up with a fractured finger, a dislocated finger on all 3 joints, and I damaged my calf muscle, as well as getting a heck of a lot of bruises.

"The paramedics were about to put my bike in the ambulance and drive me to hospital, before I stopped them and finished the remaining 60miles of the event."

Phil, who has now raised more than £7,200 for The Alzheimer's Society, said he finished "with a smile on my face but in absolute agony", then drove himself back to York Hospital's A&E department for further treatment, including resetting his finger into its sockets.

He said: "Funnily enough I was fine when they put my finger back in, but when the doctor told me I wouldn’t be able to do exercise for a few weeks I fainted!

"I was very concerned that I would be unable to do 6,000 miles or compete in any more events. I really didn’t want to finish my year injured or on a low note. I spent the next two days with my leg on ice, unable to put any weight on it. Fortunately, perhaps down to my healthy lifestyle, I healed really quickly and was soon back on my bike and doing light running."

In the following nine days, Phil trained every day before and after work and at weekends, and covered 500 miles, meaning he has less than 100 miles to go before he finishes his challenge.

Phil is a finalist for Fundraiser Of The Year and Person Of The Year at the 2014 Community Pride Awards, which fall on his 41st birthday - the official end of his challenge, which started with an aim to run, swim and cycle 4,000 miles.

His final race will be the Yorkshire Marathon on Sunday, and he said: "Although I’m pretty fit these days, my calf injury really caused issues with my running so I’m pretty nervous about the marathon and hope my body holds up."

To donate to Phil's challenge, go to justgiving.com/TheWiggo4000