A PAIR of work colleagues are taking part in a gruelling challenge for charity.

Marc Stephens and Carl Taylor, who both work as general associates at Honda, are cycling from Swindon to Scotland in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society.

They are setting off next month and hope to complete the challenge in one sitting.

Marc, 35, of Nythe, said: “It’ll be painful but we’ve both had a lot of support. We both do a lot of cycling so are used to riding, but not this distance and not in one go.

“The only brief stops we are having will be for refreshments.”

They are hoping to complete the 318-mile ride within 28 hours. They will be setting off from Nythe and finishing at Gretna, on the Scottish border.

They are being joined on their trip by Andrew Phillips, 26, who will be driving behind them in the support car.

The duo have been training hard and much of the equipment they need has been donated by Swindon Cycles.

Marc said: “We are setting off on August 2 and we’ll be starting at 9pm.

“We are starting at night as a psychological boost, so it is light when we hit the tough parts.”

The inspiration to raise money for the charity came after Marc’s grandfather, Richard Bowler, died on Christmas Eve last year. He had suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for six years.

“It is a horrible illness that affects so many people,” said Marc.

“Everyone knows someone who is or has been affected by the disease.”

This will not be the first time the pair have taken part in a long distance ride for a good cause.

Last year they cycled from Swindon to Penzance in one sitting to raise funds for a young boy who needed a vital operation.

Marc said: “Ever since then we have been into cycling. We go on long distance rides every weekend and cycle to work every day.

“We’ve decided that every year we want to increase the length of the challenge we take up.”

To donate to their cause, visit www.justgiv ing.com/marc-stephens.