Two Islanders and a former Sheppey resident are getting in gear for a 920-mile bike ride in aid of two Swale charities.

The trio and a fourth back-up team member hope to raise at least £3,000 for Preston Skreens respite care unit for children with severe learning disabilities in Minster and Demelza House children's hospice near Sittingbourne.

They intend cycling from John O’Groats to Land’s End and will be leaving in a car for Scotland on May 9.

If all goes to plan the trip will take 13 days with overnight stops being taken at various youth hostels and B&Bs along the way.

Taking part will be Paul Cozens, 39, from Cliff Gardens, Minster; Martin Lanning, 50, from Glenwood Drive, Minster and Martin Lynch, 39, who lived in Raleigh Way, Halfway, for 25 years until moving to Chatham.

The fourth member of the team is Steve Fautley, 57, from Locarno Avenue, Gillingham, who will act in a support role by shadowing the rider’s route in a car stocked with food, drink and bike spares should the need arise.

All four men are work colleagues and have been planning the trip for nine months after the initial seed was sewn by Martin Lamming.

For the full story, see this coming week's Times Guardian.