Cycle ride 'vital' to air ambulance 24-hour service

The riders already include air ambulance crew members and a former patient

A fundraising cycle ride will be a "vital" part of a campaign by an air ambulance trust to provide a 24-hour service, the service said.

The Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Trust will hold its Double 100 Cycle Challenge on 23 June.

Two routes have been planned - one with a distance of 100 miles (161km) and one with a distance of 62 miles (100km).

Spokesman Stu Plumbley said the trust needs an extra £1m to provide a 24-hour service.

Blood transfusion service

The critical care paramedic said it was an exciting year to be involved with the air ambulance.

The trust has recently launched a blood transfusion service and plans to start night flights later this year, he said.

Cyclists are being asked to take part in the bike ride.

Air ambulance crew members and a former patient will be taking part.

Both race routes pass through all three counties covered by the two helicopters.

The events will start at the Surrey and Sussex helicopter base at Redhill and pass through the Kent base at Marden.