A group of nine friends from Suffolk are gearing up to pedal through the night as they take on a women-only cycle ride through London.

Eastern Daily Press: Their fundraising cake stall in Southwold. Picture: Courtesy of Marie Carter.Their fundraising cake stall in Southwold. Picture: Courtesy of Marie Carter. (Image: Archant)

Women V Cancer Ride the Night is a 100km challenge, raising funds for three UK cancer charities - Breast Cancer Care, Ovarian Cancer Action and Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust.

And Sarah Vaughan, Hillary Martin, Emma Warnes, Catherine Millward, Sue Lock, Lorraine Day, Claire Barber, Christina Stohr and Marie Carte, who live in Reydon, Halesworth, Wangford and Worlingham, will be joining the 3,000 cyclists taking on the challenge Saturday night.

The group, most of which work together or play for Sole Bay Netball Club, decided to sign up to show their support for family members and friends who have been affected by cancer.

The team will start at Royal Windsor Racecourse at 10pm, and follow a 100km route through London past many of the famous landmarks including Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace. They hope to complete the course in less than six hours, with the finish line back at the racecourse.

Marie Carter, who lives in Worlingham, said: 'I have not personally been affected by cancer, but have close family and friends who have, so while I am fit and able I am going to do my bit to both raise awareness and funds.

'We were mostly inexperienced cyclists, but we have all been training hard over the last six months. We have been training one to two times a week gradually building up the distance to 55 miles so far.

'I think we're all excited about it but the nerves are staring to creep in.'

The riders have been collecting sponsorship for the cause, and also held a cake sale outside Lloyds bank in Southwold on April 1, where they raised more than £500. Each entrant had to raise a minimum of £200 to qualify.

They will be completing the ride dressed in tutus and leg warmers.

Last year's Women V Cancer Ride the Night raised over £1.2m, and organisers are hoping to beat the total this year.

To donate to the cause, visit www.justgiving.com/womenvcancer-ridethenight