Members of the cycling team with Brian Carruthers from Tempest Ford

Ambulance workers from Lichfield are gearing up for a 940-mile cycling challenge to raise money for a boy with cystic fibrosis.

The group are hoping to collect £8,000 to purchase a specialist physio vest for six-year-old Fin Roberts, which will help remove mucus from his lungs.

Members of the cycling team with Brian Carruthers from Tempest Ford
Members of the cycling team with Brian Carruthers from Tempest Ford

The nine-strong team will each cycle between 90 and 115 miles across 11 days to raise money for Fin, who is the son of their colleague Steve Roberts.

“We’re over the moon with the support that we have received to try and raise the funds to enable us to get a physio vest for Fin, who has recently been quite unwell with his cystic fibrosis,” Steve said.

“As well as the support from the cycle team, we have had received a great deal of help from the Little Treasures Children’s Trust who have helped us to provide a fantastic standard of treatment for Fin.

“£8,000 is a massive sum of money to raise but we are hopeful that we can do it.

“If we manage to exceed our target, any additional funds will be donated to Little Treasures who do a fantastic job!”

The team will begin their cycle challenge at John O’Groats on September 9 and hope to cross the finish line 11 days later at Land’s End.

Support has already come in from West Midlands Ambulance Service, G4S, Moor Hall Hotel, Burton Albion, Drayton Manor Theme Park, Land Rover, Energy Excel, Charles Design and Marketing, Tempest Ford and Rock 34.

Technician Katie Maughan, who will be driving the support vehicle during the challenge, has been working closely with Steve to organise the event.

“We’d like to express our thanks to everyone who has supported us so far,” she said. “Alongside this challenge many members of the team are participating in a number of other cycle events to help boast these vital funds.”

Sponsor, Brian Carruthers, managing director at Tempest Ford, added: “I would like to wish the team success in their amazing challenge.

“Katie has done a great job of persuading everyone to support this appeal to raise funding for Fin.”

As well as their cycling efforts, the group are also planning a fundraising evening at Moor Hall Hotel on August 31, featuring live music and a hog roast. Tickets are £20 and are available by emailing [email protected].

To donate to the team’s bike challenge, visit https://www.justgiving.com/joglefin/.

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.