A TEAM of firefighters will cycle the length of Great Britain in a bid to raise £100,000 for charity.

The pack of 16 riders and four support staff are planning to embark on the 1,006-mile journey from John O’Groats to Land’s End on May 13.

Frontline firefighters, retired officers and support staff will get in the saddle for the epic trip, which will be led by Oxfordshire fire and rescue chief Dave Etheridge. Money raised will go to the Fire Fighters’ Charity.

A firefighter in the county for 30 years, he said the long-distance route was something he had never experienced before.

He added: “Six years ago when we first did it I was all up for it. But then the chief fire officer’s role came up so I couldn’t do it. This time it’s very much a personal ambition for me.

“I have always enjoyed cycling but I have never done anything like this before – it’s serious.

“The training is going well but the thought of doing 80 miles every day is tough. It’s great that we are doing it as a team so we can all get through it together.

“It’s going to be fantastic and it’s for a charity that is very worthy.”

The fire boss will also celebrate his 50th birthday on the second-to-last day of the ride, which ends on May 26.

Fire stations and youth hostels will become the team’s home for two weeks, with several brigades up and down the country joining them on a daily basis .

The squad will pass through Oxfordshire on May 22.

Mr Etheridge said: “We hope the public will come out and join us on that day – the journey will be about 65 miles.

“All the money raised will go to the Fire Fighters’ charity, which helps officers across the country if they need support because of injury or personal circumstances.”

So far the brigade – based in Kidlington – has managed to raise about £40,000 from taking part in various events.

Firefighter Amy Palmer, 26, said: “We have a whole range of experience in the team and have been going out together training.

“I was part of the support team for the Oxfordshire to Bonn ride in 2013, which made me excited, so I thought I would do this one.

“It’s definitely going to be a challenge.”

Station manager John Paul Williams, 48, added: “I have used the charity before for treatment with neck and back issues, so this is my way to give something back.”