A GROUP of Army chefs took over Colchester’s Culver Square to raise cash and awareness for a 100-mile cycle ride they will attempt on Sunday.

Staff Sgt Rhydian Coleman, Sgt Simon Taylor, Cpl Sam Coote and Lieut Cpl Rhys Pandeles, from the 16 Air Assault Brigade, are preparing to take part in London’s Prudential Ride in aid of Blind Veterans UK.

Rhys, the youngest member of the group at 25, said: “We’re excited about it.

“Once we hit 70 miles it will undoubtedly get quite tough.”

In the lead up to the fundraiser, the group took to static bikes in the town centre on Saturday and rode for six hours to let people know what they are doing.

They also collected money and sold cakes for the cause.

Rhys said: “It’s not a well-known charity, but the people it helps have sacrificed a lot.

“A lot of people hadn’t heard about the charity, so it was nice to tell them about it.”