SERVICEMEN who cycled 120 miles from their Benson airbase to a top military rehabilitation centre and back without leaving Oxford have thanked shoppers for their generousity.

The six personnel from RAF Benson took it in turns to pedal a static bike in Bonn Square for the challenge in aid of military charity Help For Heroes.

Shoppers looked on as they raced to complete the triangle from RAF Benson to the Headley Court centre in south London, in the heat of the day on Friday.

Petty Officer Richie Harker, 33, said: “We have got two of the guys here going to Iraq for two months– one of them is Jon Bailey, who has helped me organise it, so it was nice they could come and donate their time before they go.

“The response in Oxford has been awesome, people have been donating money and coming up and chatting to us.

“They said we do a brilliant job and to keep it up and wishing us luck.

It’s always nice to get a good response.”

The team are hoping to have raised more than £1,000.

To donate money visit justgiving.com/richieharker eallen@oxfordmail.co.uk