Three Norwich-based ambulance trust staff are gearing up for a gruelling charity 600 mile tower to tower bike ride from Blackpool to Paris.

Nine riders from the East of England Ambulance Service, based in Norfolk and Essex, will complete the marathon ride across six days to raise money for the Ambulance Service Benevolent Fund (ASBF), and so far have raised more than £7,000.

The team will begin their ride on Saturday, May 25, from Blackpool Tower, stopping at Buxton, Kettering, Dartford, and Amiens, before reaching the Eiffel Tower on Thursday, May 30.

Matt Broad, ambulance service general manager in Norfolk, who is riding and helping to organise the event, said they were also encouraging staff from other ambulance trusts to join them along the route through England.

'I have always wanted to do a big challenge like this and jumped at the chance to join the 'Pedalling Paramedics T2T' ride, I get a real buzz from cycling miles and miles, especially for such a good cause.

'We have a great team of motivated riders and I am sure after hearing the stories from their last ride, we will be having a real laugh along the way as well. We're all part of the ambulance family and the ASBF do great work in supporting those staff that have dedicated their working life to helping others. It can be a stressful job with a lot of demanding situations,' he said.

The route takes them through the Peak District, London, and Northern France.

Mr Broad will be joined by Norfolk colleagues Brett Norton and Chris Barnes, who are both duty operations managers in the Norwich ambulance control room at Hellesdon.

To sponsor them, visit www.justgiving.com/Pedaling-Paramedics