A GROUP of cyclists are preparing to tackle a charity ride across the country.

Members of the Darlington Rotary Club will gather tomorrow to begin their three-day journey along the Hadrian’s Way cycle route, starting in Cumbria and finishing in Newcastle.

The group of 12 are raising money for causes such as St Teresa’s Hospice, Great North Air Ambulance Service, Shelter Box, Food Bank and others in their sixth year doing the 162-mile trip.

Over this time the club has accumulated over 1,000 miles and raised over £40,000.

Organiser Nigel Little said: “I’m looking forward to it. We have done quite a lot of training. We go out every weekend and do around 30-something miles.”

The team are being sponsored by local businesses including Sherwoods, who are providing a van to take them to the start line.

Peter Phillips, co-organising, said: “I’m looking forward to it very much. We are a group of people who know one another so there is a social side to it as well.

“We have a number of people, friends and businesses, who are generous enough to sponsor us and we want to thank them for their support.”

Donations can be made at virginmoneygiving.com/NigelLittle