A group of East of England Ambulance Service personnel are gearing up for a gruelling cycle ride to raise funds for a charity close to their heart.

Four ambulance staff based in Norwich will become the 'pedalling paramedics' later this year when they attempt to cycle 999 miles in nine days to every ambulance trust in Great Britain.

The group of nine ambulance service workers have so far raised more than £20,000 for the Ambulance Services Benevolent Fund (ASBF) following a Land's End to John O'Groats ride in 2012 and a 600-mile cycle from Blackpool Tower to the Eiffel Tower last year.

The keen cyclists are Matt Broad, Norfolk general manager; Chris Barnes, deputy manager in the Norwich ambulance control room; Brett Norton, assistant general manager in the Norwich control room; and emergency care assistant Tom Miller, who is based in Norwich.

They aim to start their latest fundraiser on May 9 from the ambulance service's headquarters in Cambourne, Cambridgeshire, and will cycle 111 miles a day, visiting all the ambulance trusts in England, Wales and Scotland.

They hope their latest adventure will result in them breaking the £30,000 fundraising mark.

Mr Broad said: 'ASBF is quite a small organisation and we have become the number one group that are raising money for them on a yearly basis. We are very keen to support them because you never know when you might need them.'

The ASBF help serving and retired NHS ambulance personnel, and their dependants, in times of exceptional hardship, poverty or need.

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

Are you doing a charity cycle ride? email newsdesk@archant.co.uk