A POIGNANT and punishing cycling challenge will test the endurance of a county trio.

Audrey Mayson and Maggi Denaro, from Byford, and Harry Aldrich-Blake, from Ross-on-Wye, will cycle more than 300 miles from May 26 to June 1 for the Help for Heroes charity that supports injured servicemen and women.

The Big Battlefield Bikeride covers a demanding route tracing some of the Normandy landing beaches, and Thiepval on the Somme.

The trio, who have raised more than £16,000 in sponsorship so far, will ride with about 300 people cycling from 50 to 75 miles in a day, stopping off at memorials to the lost British servicemen of the First and Second world wars.

The Help the Heroes charity, formed only last October, has had overwhelming support, receiving heartfelt messages from people and donations raising £4.5 million for those injured in the war zone areas of Afghanistan and Iraq.

Audrey Mayson, who has a son serving in the forces, said the cycling challenge would be both hard work and a humbling experience.

Both Audrey and Maggi have trained relentlessly to build up for the gruelling days ahead, going out in evenings and early morning over the weekends.

“We have been training for weeks now. We started off with four miles and built it up. We raised our sponsorship through quiz nights and cheese and wine evenings,” she said.

Harry, whose knee injury prevented him from pursuing his chosen career in the Army, is cycling because it’s a way he can help a very worthy cause.

“I think it’s sad that we need to raise money like this but it should also be fun and I think we will all find out about ourselves because it will be emotional,” he said.

The charity was started by former Royal Green Jacket Bryn Parry, who wanted to help build a gym and swimming pool at a rehabilitation centre which would enable those suffering from trauma to build up their strength and morale. For details, visit helpforheroes.org.uk or contact Harry at harryablake@yahoo.co.uk.

By Anne Glover.