A PAIR of keen cyclists are taking a charity cycling challenge this August to raise funds for a local hospice.

Mark Stephenson and Andy Stockwell are currently in training for the event, which will see them visit every Longfield charity shop in the Cotswolds in a bid to raise £1,000 for the Minchinhampton based hospice.

The pair work at Gardiner Haskins Homecentre (corr) in Cirencester and were joined by staff from the store and from Longfield on May 16 as they gave it their all on a pair of static bikes.

Passers by donated £158.98 on the day which the pair will put towards their ambitious £1,000 target.

Store director Steve Whitcombe explained that the pair were no strangers to challenges and explained that they had raised a thousands for other charities over the years.

Steve said: "On Saturday August 22 they are going to ride 100 miles in eight hours, starting at the Cirencester Longfield shop, then make their way around all the other shops. At the end of the day they will end up at the hospice itself.

"They have chosen Longfield this year because it is a local charity and Gardiner Haskins has had an association with them for a number of years."

Steve added that the whole store was behind the pair and had posters all around the shop.

"It just seem right and fitting for us to do more with them as a local charity," he added.

For more information or to donate visit bit.ly/1HOsxAE