A team of Thames Valley Police officers is preparing for a challenging bike ride to Paris to raise money fort the national charity Help for Heroes.

The eight-strong group, which is made up of Detective Inspectors from Thames Valley Police Headquarter Departments and one Loddon Valley based Sergeant, will also include parents of students who attend the Abbey School in Reading.

The team, which includes Steve Jenkins, Jackie Keyser, Dave Arnold, Greg Elphick and Emily Roberts, embarked on a gruelling cycle ride to France yesterday.

Beginning at the Gherkin in London, the cyclists made their way to Folkestone, where they boarded a Eurostar service to Calais. Once across the Channel the team will spend three days making their way to Paris.

Team member Inspector Emily Roberts said: "The team and I are dedicated to making sure we cycle all the way to Paris for this good cause. Looking at the maps it is a long way and we appreciate all the support we have had so far in raising £3,791.”