A couple from St Albans are preparing to cycle from John O’Groats to Land’s End for charity.

Colin and Fiona Cressy-Roberts are challenging themselves with a 1,000 miles ride across the country to raise money for the Chilterns MS Centre.

The charity is close to the pair’s hearts as Fiona’s father has Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and has been helped by the centre for the last 20 years, on an almost weekly basis.

The centre in Aylesbury provides support for patients with MS and their carers including physiotherapy.

Fiona, a physiotherapist herself, said that support extends well beyond physio: "MS can make you feel like doom and gloom but the centre itself is full of smiles, banter and positive energy."

Fiona and husband Colin, a teacher at St Albans School, are going to be completing the race in place of a summer holiday and are paying for accommodation out of their own pockets so all donations go to the charity.

Setting off on Wednesday, July 30, the duo plan to complete the ride in under a fortnight, covering around 80 miles a day, along the UK’s cycle network.

The newlyweds, who will be celebrating their first anniversary at the end of August, had considered riding tandem but as Fiona explains: "I didn’t want to be looking at his bum for 1,000 miles."

Training is well under way and out of the pair, who both used to practice athletics, Fiona’s endurance race past has helped her pip Colin, to the post of fastest on the bike.

To support their fundraising efforts, click here