Stourbridge bikers ride out for charity cash (From Stourbridge News)

Stourbridge bikers ride out for charity cash

9:00am Saturday 31st July 2010 in News

A TEAM of cyclists from the Stourbridge area are geared up to travel more than 1,000 miles in a gruelling charity challenge.

The 11-strong all male team are hoping to hit their £10,000 target by cycling from John O Groats to Lands End, raising funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust, The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and The Multiple Sclerosis Society.

All three charities are close to the cyclists’ hearts with some members of the group having lost family members to cancer and multiple sclerosis and another with a close friend who suffers from cystic fibrosis.

The self-funded trip will see the gutsy group cycle more than 100 miles each day over a period of nine days with pit stops in youth hostels along the way.

After setting off today (Saturday July 31), the sports enthusiasts, who have been planning the trip since December last year, are due to cross the finish line on Sunday August 8.

Team member Ben Perks, aged 25, from Wollaston, said: “None of us have any great experience of cycling and had to purchase road bikes which the vast majority of us had never been on before.

“We have been training as a group and cycling around 200 miles each week and although we are all terrified and quite nervous about the challenge that lies ahead we hope to raise as much money as we can for the charities.”

The team has already held several fundraising events, from quizzes to football and rugby inspired events, to get them on the road to hitting their target.

Anyone who wishes to sponsor the group can visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DepleteYourMilesCyclingClub.