Stobart drivers bike Britain for charity

Britons Matthew Wilson and Scott Martin are to tackle a 960-mile bike ride to raise money for three charities, two of which have motorsport links.

The Cumbrian pair, who drive for the Stobart VK M-Sport Ford rally team, will ride from Land's End in the south of England to John O'Groats in the north of Scotland.

The pair will raise money for the Richard Burns Foundation, The Great North Air Ambulance and a third organisation, The Cumbria Community Foundation, which supports charities in the region where the Stobart team is based.

The Richard Burns Foundation was established in memory of the 2001 World Rally Champion, who lost his battle against Cancer in November 2005 aged 34. The Foundation works to inspire and support people with serious injuries or illness.

The Great North Air Ambulance Service operates three helicopters - one of which airlifted Martin to hospital after a serious crash on the Rally of Wales in 2005. Martin said his speedy transportation to hospital was a key factor in his successful recovery.

The ride begins at 0700hrs on Saturday 21 June - the weekend after the Rally of Turkey - and the pair plan to cover more than 100 miles a day to arrive in Scotland on Sunday 29 June.

“As well as raising awareness for these important charities I think riding 100 miles a day in all sorts of weather will help our mental and physical preparations ahead of the second half of the Championship,” said Wilson.

Further details of the ride, as well as how to make a donation, can be found at:

www.end2end2008.com