A TEAM of firefighters are tackling a major fundraising challenge by cycling from Bournemouth to Blackpool in 24 hours.

The Dorset Fire and Rescue employees are doing the Pier to Pier Cycle Challenge on a Boris bike to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity and Diverse Abilities.

Lee McCumiskey from Westbourne Fire Station said: “We have done various challenges within DFRS, but Paul Ticehurst, one of the organisers, thought it would be a good idea to embark on this challenge after being inspired by three guys who rode Boris bikes from London to Mont Ventoux in France in 24 hours.

“We found out that Langside School had been donated one of the Boris bikes, so we approached them, as well as Diverse Abilities who look after them, and asked if we could use the bike.”

The challenge will see the team cycle 300 miles from Bournemouth Pier to Blackpool Pier, starting at midday on Friday, June 5.

“We will be cycling for the full 24 hours, continuing overnight in a constant relay,” Lee explained.

“We will have a fresh pair of legs taking over every half hour, and we’ll do about four stints each in total. We’ll have support vehicles transporting riders to their swap-over point.”

Lee said the three-speed bike, which weighs 23kg, is "very heavy and cumbersome". In comparison, an average road bike weighs around 8kg.

"The only alteration we’ve made is adding some lights to it. It will be a tough ride and the fatigue factor will kick us all. But we are very confident we can do it," he said.

Beccy Briley, corporate and community fundraiser at Diverse Abilities, said: “We are extremely grateful to Dorset Fire and Rescue for undertaking this challenge for us, as well as The Fire Fighters Charity.

“It is going to be a very tough feat for the group as they cycle from Bournemouth to Blackpool on the Boris bike that was donated to us from Barclays, but we’re sure they are going to do a fantastic job. We hope the firemen raise much needed funds for both charities.”

To help raise money the team will be doing car washes on Saturday, April 25 at Redhill Park Fire Station and on Saturday, May 16 at Hamworthy Fire Station.

For more details about the challenge, and to make a donation, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/PaulTicehurst.