Four cyclists riding through four countries in as many days covering a distance of 444 kilometres.
No wonder Nick Stone, Jonathan Spencer, Sean Harper and Tom Healey have been dubbed the fantastic four.
They are aiming to raise £10,000 for East Cheshire Hospice in memory of Tom’s uncle Brian who died of oesophageal cancer in 2009, aged 59.
Tom, from Sutton, said: “My uncle spent his last few days in the Hospice and my parents know friends who’ve been in there.
“Mum organised coffee mornings in aid of the charity, so as a group we decided to support them as they’re local and have such a big impact.”
The quartet start in Calais on July 1 before cycling to Bruges, Maastrict and Cologne.
The cyclists work for S&G Response, a Wilmslow-based outsourcing insurance company founded by Nick, from Adlington, who won a ‘Giving It Back to Charity’ award at a recent insurance industry event.
Cyclists (from left) Nick Stone, Tom Healey and Johnathan Spencer.
Nick said: “It’s going to be physically and mentally draining, but will be well worth it, especially knowing Tom’s story and why we’re doing the ride.
“We’re all semi competent cyclists and it’s a pretty cool thing to do together.”
Father and son Chris and Bradley Gibson, and Glenn Taylor, who all work for S&G, make up the support team, while colleagues are also travelling across the Channel to cheer on the group.
Sean Harper who is undertaking his fifth long-distance ride.
Motor vehicle engineer Jonathan devised the route. He said: “One thing I’ve discovered is that Google maps doesn’t work in Germany. We’re using tried and tested cycle paths where possible and have chosen a scenic route.
“We’ve all still got the fire in our bellies from our last charity ride from London to Amsterdam in 2019 and it’s great that our company is very charity oriented.”
This will be Sean Harper’s fifth long-distance ride. He said: “I started cycling after a football injury in 2010 and didn’t fancy running.
“The furthest was Blackpool to Paris and they were all organised rides but this could be tougher.”
Office manager and Executive Assistant Erica Boland said: “Cycling 280 miles in four days will be an epic challenge after a train and ferry to Calais.
“It’s a charity close to our hearts with family and friends of several employees benefitting from Hospice support. Every penny donated will help us reach our ambitious fundraising target.”
* To donate visit justgiving.com/page/fantasticfourfundraising.