Teams of super-fit Royal Marines are raising cash for the Deal Memorial Bandstand in a 356 mile cycle ride across southern England.

It starts from The Strand and joining the first leg will be Jade Kelly, 20, from Walmer, whose father Major John Kelly died last year.

The big fund-raising event is particularly poignant, as it will be 20 years ago this summer that the IRA killed 11 Royal Marines in a terrorist explosion in the Deal barracks.

Jade, 20, of York and Albany Close, Walmer, said she is determined to finish her 86 mile part of the journey, especially in memory of her father.

She said: "We were always out and about doing things. He was good fun."

Jade, a former Walmer Science College pupil, is studying to be a primary school teacher at Canterbury Christ Church University.

She is stepping up her training in the saddle and her sponsors are Deal Track and Van Centre and Direct Cars. Sponsorship forms are available at the RMA Club, The Strand.

Maj Kelly’s widow Wendy will be giving support and encouragement along the cycle route to New Haven.

She said: "Jade is a very grounded young lady and I am very proud of her for deciding to take part in the ride.

"John died when he was 46 of a very rare infection. I will always remember him as my best friend."

When the barracks in Deal closed in 1996 Maj Kelly stayed with the Royal Marines and commuted between Devon and the family home. He also has a son Sam, 22, at university in Newcastle.

Maj Kelly joined the band service in 1979 and had a successful and distinguished career. In September 2007 he was appointed as director of music to the Band of HM Royal Marines Commando Training Centre, Lympstone. He died last year in hospital in London on June 30.

His family is also related to Dave McMillan, one of the Royal Marines who died in the IRA explosion in 1989.

* The Band of the Royal Marines Portsmouth will perform on the Deal Memorial Bandstand on July 12. The concert season starts on May 3. For full details pick up a leaflet at the Mercury office at 13 Queen Street, Deal.