Cyclists raising funds for air ambulance service

The newer version of the MD902 Explorer aircraft will replace the charity's existing helicopter at Redhill

About 100 cyclists are riding through Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex in a sponsored ride in aid of the counties' air ambulance.

Organisers hope the Double 100 Cycle Challenge will bring in more than the £9,000 raised in last year's inaugural event.

Cyclists will complete a 100km or 100-mile route starting and finishing at the charity's Redhill Aerodrome base.

The charity has two helicopters, based at Redhill in Surrey, and Marden, Kent.

250-mile ride

The 100-mile (161km) route will pass through Marden, which is the home of Kent Air Ambulance.

Among the cyclists is a team of Sussex Police officers.

PCs Trevor Perks, Gary Douglas and James Daniel, based at Eastbourne and Polegate, have so far raised more than £700 for the charity.

The trio and three colleagues recently completed a 250-mile bike ride from Eastbourne to Dover, Calais to Dieppe, and Newhaven to Eastbourne.

PC Perks, 47, said: "I've not ridden 100 miles in one day in 15 years.

"I was going to do the 100km (62 miles) ride but our sponsors' generosity has inspired me to aim for 100 miles."

The sponsored ride coincides with the arrival of a new helicopter for the air ambulance service.

The newer version of the MD902 Explorer aircraft will replace the charity's existing helicopter based at Redhill.