A group of friends are getting on their bikes to cycle from Norfolk to Westminster to raise awareness and funds for kidney cancer suffers .James Blackett of Woodland Rise, Tasburgh - whose father David was diagnosed with kidney and lung cancer in February - has rallied a team of four other people, including EDF Energy workmate Darren Styles, 36, to take part in a bike ride from his home to London.

A group of friends are getting on their bikes to cycle from Norfolk to Westminster to raise awareness and funds for kidney cancer suffers .

James Blackett of Woodland Rise, Tasburgh - whose father David was diagnosed with kidney and lung cancer in February - has rallied a team of four other people, including EDF Energy workmate Darren Styles, 36, to take part in a bike ride from his home to London.

At the end of the 140-mile trip, he will deliver a letter to a government minister about his father's condition.

The cyclists will be spurred on during the last leg of their journey when they are joined by Andy Thomas, kidney cancer sufferer and associate of the James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer, which is set to receive more than £3,000 from their marathon.

The fundraisers will leave Tasburgh, at 10am on Saturday, May 31 aiming to arrive in Westminster on Monday, June 2 where they will be met by representatives from the charity and South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon, who will accompany them to Downing Street.

Mr Blackett, 35, said: “What started out as five friends trying to raise some money and awareness of kidney cancer and its

associated treatments is steadily snowballing into a major event to raise funds for the James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer.”

The energetic cyclists have been in training, clocking up about 80-miles a week on their bikes and watching what they eat to help them tackle the challenge - Ian Smith, 43, and Mark King, 27, of Tasburgh, and Anthony Wiggins, 26, of Briston, completing the line up.

Broadcaster James Whale, who is chairman of the charity, said: “I wish James and the team of cyclists a safe, successful and enjoyable journey and urge everyone to go to their Just Giving page or the James Whale Fund's page and pledge their full support to them. I hope everyone will join us to welcoming them at their journey's end on the 2nd June.”

The team will be supported by an EDF Energy Networks vehicle, driven by employee Dave Child, who will follow them along the route and provide much-needed sustenance on their way to Westminster. The company will also donate £200 to the charity as part of the company's match-funding scheme.

Donations can be made online at www.justgiving.com/davidblackett For more details about the charity see www.jameswhalefund.org