FOUR friends will be saddling up to compete in one of the UK’s most challenging off-road motorbike races to raise money for a fellow biker injured in an accident.

Jon Alexander, from Bibury, Darren Downes, from Quenington, and James Barnes and Kev Perkins, both from Ampney Crucis, will compete in the Dawn to Dusk Enduro over the Bank Holiday weekend.

In two teams of two, the gang have entered the 24-hour class of the infamous race in order to raise money for Steve Rouse, who suffered life-changing paralysis after a motorbike accident in 2015.

In the heart of the Brecon beacons, the 14-mile course sees bikers from across the world push themselves and their machines to the limit.

Having remained incredibly stoic and positive in the face of the challenges posed by his injuries, Steve, from Wroughton, is in need of rehabilitation at the Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital.

The hospital is one of only three in the world to offer the care which will hopefully allow him to regain the use of his arms and give him an all-round better quality of life.

Steve is himself no stranger to Dawn to Dusk having previously provided mechanical support for a friend competing in the event.

“I know it's going to be really hard work, but I've wanted to race the 24-hour class for some time,” said Darren.

“And knowing we'll be helping Steve will definitely give me an extra push to keep going when my arms and legs want to explode!”

More fundraising events are in the pipeline for Steve, including an off-road ride day and rock concert later in the year.

Visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ride4steve to donate.