With less than a month to go until the start of a charity bike ride, a group of firefighters are calling on the support of locals to help them reach their fundraising target.

As six Suffolk firefighters prepare to saddle up and raise funds for worthy causes, they are training hard ahead of the five-day charity cycle ride next month.

The Wrentham Fire Station crew members will travel almost 400 miles across the country, for the charity cycle ride from Wales to Lowestoft.

Named the Wrentham Fire Ride, the retained crew of Wrentham fire station – consisting of firefighters Aaron English, Steve Howard, Richard Lark, Shane Sillett, James Supple and Richard Supple – will cycle 381 miles from the west of the country to the UK's most easterly town of Lowestoft in order to raise money and awareness for two important charities – The Fire Fighters Charity and Mind.

Beginning on Monday, June 18, the firefighters will cycle from Llangefni in Wales before arriving at south Lowestoft fire station on Friday, June 22.

James Supple, crew commander at Wrentham Fire Station, said: 'With just one month to go, we are all training hard and looking forward to the challenge ahead with a mixture of nerves and excitement.

'We are hoping to raise £2,000 for our charities, both of which provide invaluable support to firefighters and their families. Thank you to everyone who has sponsored us so far and if you are able to donate, even just a small amount, we would be very grateful.'

On the final day of the challenge, Friday, June 22, the crew will visit the Suffolk County Council offices at Endeavour House in Ipswich to meet Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service colleagues, before cycling the remaining distance to Lowestoft.

The Wrentham Fire Ride is supported by Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service and is sponsored by Pedal Power, Morrisons Beccles, Morrisons Pakefield, Kingsley Healthcare, Southwold Golf Club, Right Direction Training and Greater Gabbard Offshore Winds Ltd.

Any organisations wishing to offer support to the challenge are asked to contact hello@wrenthamfireride.com

To donate to the Fire Ride, or to find out more, please visit www.wrenthamfireride.com