A GROUP of soldiers are getting on their bikes for a gruelling 460-mile journey, all in the name of charity.

Sergeant Philip Ingram, who is based at Catterick Garrison, will accompany his six colleagues from First Scots Company on the ride from Catterick to London, where they will take part in a special ceremony at the Cenotaph.

They are hoping to raise £5,000 to £10,000 in sponsorship for forces charity Help for Heroes, which supports injured servicemen and women.

Sergeant Ingram, 34, decided to organise the ride after being unable to take part in the Big Battlefield Bike Ride - a 342-mile cycle around the battlefields of Normandy.

"There is always such a high demand for that event, and by the time we applied they had run out of places," he said.

"So we decided to do our own - it is longer so it will be more of a challenge.

"I'm a keen cyclist anyway, but I've been stepping up my training recently to give me a bit of practice."

The group set off on Saturday from Vimy Barracks at the garrison, and are due to arrive in the capital on Sunday, June 1.

When they reach London, they will join hundreds of cyclists on the last leg of the Big Battlefields Bike Ride from Whitehall to the Cenotaph, where there will be a special memorial service.

Sergeant Ingram, who lives in Catterick Garrison with his wife Kirsty and two-year-old son, Luke, added: "We are all really looking forward to the trip. After all, it is for a really fantastic cause."

To sponsor the soldiers, visit www.justgiving.com/helpforherosbikeride.