A FEARLESS band of cyclists are taking on a gruelling 300-mile cycle challenge to support autistic children.

More than 30 cyclists, including some from Colchester, are riding from the iconic Arc de Triomphe in Paris to The Ark Centre in Chelmsford.

The epic challenge has almost reached its £20,000 target thanks to sponsorship from the likes of Mitsubishi Electrical, TJ Evers and Wolseley. The cyclists are now hoping to reach £25,000.

The funds will be used to help The Ark Centre expand its operations to support a larger number of autistic children.

They will set off today and will cover 100 miles per day until Saturday.

The group will mark their arrival back at The Ark Centre with a drinks reception.

Nick Cheshire, co-founder of The Ark Centre, said: “After spending so much time trying to diagnose our son, Noah, with autism and find a support network to help him we decided to start a centre ourselves, so other parents would not have to experience the same.

“We are so grateful to all our sponsors and riders who have been so generous with their time and money.”

One of the event sponsors, Mervyn Denney, construction director of TJ Evers in Colchester, said: “I have spoken to families who are benefitting from the support from the early years intervention the therapists at the centre are providing and they all deserve the support from the community.

“I personally am looking forward to the riding challenge itself.

“I’m sure as difficult as it may be, it will also be a hugely rewarding adventure for all of us that will provide some fantastic memories.”

Katie Skingle, director of KAT Marketing in Colchester, who is also taking part, added: “Until May I hadn’t been on a bike for over 20 years.

“I love new challenges and so am feeling really excited for the adventures ahead.

“I’m a planner at heart and always like to prepare to put my best foot forward - and so feel slightly aggrieved that I recently fractured my right one.

“An unwelcome glitch in my planned training schedule but all is well now.”

For more information or to donate to the charity, contact The Ark Centre at admin@thearkcentre.org.