THEY call themselves the Magnificent Seven.

And appropriately enough, this group of County Durham bikers plan to roar off on a European charity adventure of a lifetime at 7.07am on the seventh day of the seventh month.

They will ride to 14 cities in seven European countries before returning to County Durham – all in only seven days this summer.

The Macmillan Magnificent Seven hope the number will prove lucky because they aim to raise £20,000 for Macmillan Cancer Care.

They have chosen the charity as a tribute to rider Trevor Atkinson’s wife Carol, who died in 2004.

Mr Atkinson, from Crook, is joined in his quest by friends Tony Hurworth, from Hunwick, Zee Wilson, from Crook, and Steve Armstrong, from Sunniside, near Tow Law.

The Seven also hope to attract a celebrity biker and a reporter, but say others are lining up to take part.

The riders will cover 3,700 miles, averaging 600 miles a day, staying at the cheapest hostels they can find.

But with more than ten hours of riding scheduled each day, they will have little time to look around the places they visit, including Budapest, Vienna and Prague.

Mr Atkinson says the challenge is a thank-you to the charity and could become an annual event.

“I had to nurse my wife for two years, it was a long drawn-out illness,” he said.

“The nurses and everyone at Macmillan made what was a horrible time that little bit more bearable and I’ve always wanted to do something to say thank-you.”

Known as Hell Boy to his friends, he is also the driving force behind the group’s ambition.

“It started off as seven capitals but I thought that was too easy,” he said.

“Now we’re doing 3,700 miles, which is stupid really, but if it isn’t a challenge people won’t sponsor you.

“It is going to be physically and mentally demanding but I’m looking forward to it.”

Mr Armstrong, 43, agreed, saying: “I really, really can’t wait. I would love to do it tomorrow but there is a lot of hard work to do raising money beforehand.”

To donate to the group, email macmillanmagnificent 7@yahoo.co.uk, call Mr Armstrong on 07717-525706, Mr Atkinson on 07866-581012, or visit macmillanmagnificent7.

co.uk