SIX college pupils will be setting off on an an epic cycling challenge, and have already raised over £17,000.

Thames Valley Air Ambulance (TVAA) said it is set to lose £1 million in fundraising due to the coronavirus pandemic, prompting the teenagers to cycle 400 miles over five days.

Will Blacker, 17, said: “We always wanted to do a charity bike ride and now that the air ambulance is struggling, it seemed like the best time to do it.

“We haven’t been able to train together due to Covid-19 but we’ve covered 700km individually during lockdown.

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“We’ve been overwhelmed by the support we’ve had, especially with people losing their jobs and getting furloughed.”

Ruth Dunkin, head of community and events at TVAA, aid: “Thank you to Will and the other team members from Radley College who are embarking on an impressive but gruelling cycling challenge in support of our work, providing emergency medical help to the people of our community in their time of need.

“Due to the pandemic, TVAA was anticipating a loss of as much as a million pounds in fundraising, especially from community events having to be cancelled.”

To donate, please visit: justgiving.com/fundraising/tvaacycleride