A Watford Couple aim to raise £2,000 for charity Watford and Three Rivers Trust by taking part in 500km bike ride in four days.

Rick and Sarah Blaney, members of The London Green Cycling Club, said they nominated W3RT Community Fund as their charity because it supports many local smaller charities and community groups that provide services for disadvantaged or vulnerable people in the area through the giving of grants.

The challenging route include the largest continuous gradient in England as they tackle the Yorkshire stages of the Tour de France at the start of their York to London challenge on Thursday, July 30.

The riders will finish by taking on the Prudential Ride London 160 km cyclosportive through London and the Surrey hills on August 2.

The riders’ combined distance will be the equivalent to riding from London to Mumbai.

Rick Blaney said: "The ride is 500km over four days, over half of it is described as 'brutal climbing'. Our friends and family know that we love cycling but this is going to be a huge challenge - for Sarah at least!"

He continued: "When we signed up for this ride, with The London Green Cycling Club, they encouraged us to choose a local charity that doesn't typically 'get the big bucks'.

"So we chose W3RT Community Fund as it’ll benefit many local charities."

The chair of the London Green Cycling Club, Wayne Hubbard, said: "We have been overwhelmed by the support so far for the ride. The response from businesses has been incredible and I would urge other environment businesses in London and beyond to get behind our efforts."

Visit www.goldengiving.com/fundraising/Blaney-BIG-bike-ride to support Rick and Sarah Blaney in meeting their target of £2,000 for W3RT Community Fund.