Three mechanical engineers from Perkins’ Stafford facility are preparing to set off on a 210 mile mountain bike challenge this month.

Richard Hall, Darren Fitton and Neal Land, who all work as manufacturing engineers at Perkins’ Tixall Road facility, are tackling the Coast 2 Coast Off Road Challenge to raise money for Staffordshire-based charity, Caudwell Children.

On Friday 17th September the trio will set off from St Bees in Cumbria, traditionally dipping their rear wheels in the Irish Sea, and follow the arduous cross-country trail across the Lake District, Pennines and North Yorkshire Moors until they reach the North Sea at Robin Hoods Bay.

The charity challenge was in danger of being postponed last month after Richard suffered a dislocated shoulder, while out training. “My injury came at a time when we were all thinking about our fitness for the four day challenge. We considered postponing the event but realistically it would then be pushed until next year and none of us wanted to wait that long, so we are sticking to the original dates.”

The trio are raising money for Caudwell Children, a charity that provides donations of specialist equipment, treatments and therapy for sick and disabled children. Based in Stoke-on-Trent, the charity has helped thousands of children with over 350 different medical conditions.

“All of us have kids so we were keen to support a children’s charity. I’m hoping that when the going gets tough we will all be able to think about what a difference our donation will make and keep going until we reach the North Sea,” stated Richard.

“It is going to be the hardest thing I have ever done but I’m looking forward to the sense of achievement we will feel when we reach the end. I may even celebrate with an ice cream on the beach!”

The three cyclists hope to arrive on the East coast on Monday 20th September having crossed three of the UK’s largest National Parks.