A group of life-savers are preparing to fly the flag for ambulance staff across the country in their 'most difficult challenge yet'.

The Pedalling Paramedics, a team of eight staff from the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, will embark on the 999 mile trek around the country on Friday, May 9, and finish on Saturday, May 17. They are aiming to cycle 111 miles a day, visiting all the ambulance trusts in England, Wales and Scotland.

And the riders have received a major boost from Unison and the GMB, which have donated £2,500 between them – which brings the total after almost three years soaring past the £20,000 mark for the Ambulance Service Benevolent Fund (ASBF).

The peloton of paramedics are gearing up for the route in just nine days, their third and most ambitious ride yet taking them around the country, to the heights of Penrith in Cumbria and as far south as Southampton. This follows journeys between Land's End and John O'Groats, and across the English Channel to Paris.

Four of the team are based in Norwich. Matt Broad, Norfolk general manager, said: 'The ASBF is a great cause and it's brilliant to be able to help our colleagues across the ambulance services as you never know what can happen. The new support is fantastic and it really feels like everyone is behind the cause. This is going to be our most difficult challenge yet, but we're training hard and all enjoy the thrills of a test like this one.'

Steve Imrie, branch chairman of Unison, said: 'Unison is proud to be able to help support the group in their biggest challenge yet. The ASBF is a charity we work closely with through Unison welfare, and we know the difference this can make to ambulance personnel in difficulties. We wish the team well, and we'll be following their adventure as they travel around the UK raising money and highlighting the profile of this important charity.'

For more information, visit www.pedallingparamedics.co.uk and to sponsor them, visit www.justgiving.com/Pedaling-Paramedics

Are you doing a charity cycle ride? Email adam.gretton@archant.co.uk