Hospital staff will be swapping scrubs and saline drips for lycra and energy gel as they seek to raise money for a homelessness charity next month.

A seven-person team from Benenden Hospital Trust is taking on the KM Big Bike Ride for Porchlight, which provides support and services to homeless people across Kent.

And with just a month now left till the challlenge takes place on Sunday, April 28, anyone else interested in taking part is urged to book now at kmbigbikeride.co.uk.

Hospital director Jane Abbott said: “As a hospital with charitable status, we have raised thousands for local charities and good causes over the years.

“We actively encourage our staff to get involved in fundraising events such as race nights, bingo, Easter Egg hunts, quiz nights, raffles and the KM Big Bike Ride.

“Every year, we support a local charity, and for the second year running we have chosen the homelessness charity Porchlight.

“As a charity based in Canterbury, Porchlight is close to our hearts and minds, and we are absolutely passionate about raising funds for such a vital cause

“Porchlight supports vulnerable and isolated people in Kent and relies on fundraising and donations to help nearly 5,000 people every year.

“The number of people sleeping rough in Kent has doubled in the past three years, and Porchlight helps adults and children with housing, education, employment and their mental health and wellbeing.”

Starting and finishing at Betteshanger Park near Deal, the ride offers participants a choice of 100km and 50km routes taking in the beautiful east Kent coast and countryside.

Riders can take part just for fun, or to raise money for their favourite good causes. 70 per cent of sponsorship money will go to the participants’ chosen charities, with the rest helping to fund the KM Charity Team’s child literacy and road safety work in Kent.

And any individual raising £200 or more for charity will go into a draw to win a pair of Eurostar tickets.

The Benenden team is aiming to raise £600, and can be sponsored at https://bit.ly/2U1WOsw.

It costs £30 per person to take part in the ride, but there is a £5 discount for anyone using the discount code KMNews19.

But if you would like to join the Benenden Hospital Trust team, use the discount code BENENDENVIP instead.

The ride is supported by Vattenfall, Herberts Cycles, the Southern Co-operative, SE Medical and Benenden Hospital Trust.

Find out more and book your place at kmbigbikeride.co.uk.

And watch a video of Benenden Hospital Trust director Jane Abbott talking about the challenge here: