A convoy of cyclists have saddled up to say a special thank you to a vital charity that helped to save the life of one of their members.

A team from Ford Cycling Club are undertaking the ultimate challenge of pedalling from Lands End to John O'Groats in just nine days.

The work colleagues set off last Thursday on an 1,100 mile uphill struggle against time, aching muscles...and probably a few punctures.

But they are hoping their pedal power will pump up at least £15,000 for the Essex Air Ambulance Service who came to the aid of Ford telematics engineer Jon Kemp when he was involved in a horrific accident last year.

Cyclist Jon suffered a broken back and other injuries when he was involved in a collision with a lorry that had been dangerously parked on the A13.

Jon was determined to help keep the air ambulance service flying high and was delighted when Ford Cycling Club members decided to muscle in and join the charity challenge.

Colleagues Alasdair Gillespie, of Rowhedge, Brentwood, and Jeff Kapp, of Westbourne Gardens, Billericay, who is a materials engineer based at Ford's Dunton plant, are among the seven-man road team.

Radka Charousova, of Billericay, a customer services manager for Ford, is joining Jon's partner Judi Sopp to act as support crew. The event is being sponsored by Ford's Consumer Connect, Ford Telematics and Siemens Business Systems.

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