A SIDMOUTH rugby player and two pals are gearing up to cycle the length of Britain to raise cash for Help for Heroes.

Andrew Dare, and friends Tom Glavin and Colwin Way, are aiming to ride 1,000 miles from John O’ Groats to Land’s End in just 12 days – and completely unaided.

Andrew says he wants to push his body to the limits of physical endurance in honour of injured service men and women who suffer far worse pain.

The 33-year-old, who grew up in Sidmouth and works at Ottery St Mary Leisure Centre as a fitness team leader, hopes residents in both towns can help the trio raise cash for the cause.

By taking on the challenge unsupported, Andrew, Tom 32, and Colwin, 39, will carry all their equipment - including a tent, sleeping bags, clothes, cooking stoves and first aid gear.

“Being hugely patriotic, and massive supporter of our brave service men and women, I want to ride end to end, and I wanted to do it for Help for Heroes,” said Andrew, who now lives in Uplyme.

“Everyone knows someone either serving, or who has served, in the forces and to put our bodies through the pain of an endurance ride such as this was insignificant to the pain our injured service men and women go through on a daily basis.”

The pedalling trio will even stop off for a wedding in Birmingham en-route.

The ride is taking place at the end of May, but the cyclists have organised a charity auction at the Talbot Arms, in Uplyme, on April 28.

Prizes include a week’s holiday in St Ives, a signed Barbarians rugby shirt, six months Leisure East Devon membership and Jools Holland tickets.

On April, 15 the men will cycle for eight hours non-stop on spinning bikes on marine parade in Lyme Regis.

The trio started their preparations in January with cold training rides on weekends.

They all now ride to and from work and are looking to clock up 100 to 150 miles a week. This will increase considerably in the coming weeks.