A GROUP of nine chemical workers are about to prove they will go to any lengths for charity.

The distance the Teessiders have in mind is a gruelling 1,035 miles by bicycle, from Land's End to John O'Groats, later this month.

Their combined pedal power is expected to raise about £10,000 for three cancer charities.

The team members are Alan Marsh, Stephen Medlock, Phil Eames, Robert Brownbridge, Peter Mackfall, Nick Faase, John Funnell, from Lucite International, and Bill Leonard of Aker Kvaerner, contractors on the Lucite site.

They chose to help cancer charities because each man has a relative or friend with the disease.

They will divide the money between Cancer Research, Stockton's Butterwick Hospice and the Children's Cancer Unit at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary.

The cyclists are taking in four major Lucite sites during their journey.

Lucite team director Alan Marsh said: "We are all keen cyclists and we've done some long rides before, but this will be our toughest challenge yet.

"Our company motto is Going Further, but we literally couldn't go any further on this journey without ending up in the sea."

The team has been training for months to prepare for the nine-day ride and are in peak condition for the challenge.

"Some people think we're mad for even thinking about it, never mind attempting it," said Mr Marsh.

He added: "We probably won't be able to sit down for a month afterwards, but I'm confident we can do it."

l Anyone wanting to make a contribution is asked to contact Mr Marsh, at Lucite, on (01642) 455761.