Jo Everitt, from Fletton, Peterborough, was inspired to tackle the six-day challenge after her good friend, Corporal Mark Sutcliffe, had his leg blown off by a rocket-propelled grenade in Basra, Iraq.

Now the 29-year-old, who will start the bike ride on May 26, is hoping to raise £2,000 for the Help for Heroes charity, which was formed to raise money to support wounded troops.

Miss Everitt said: "I saw at first hand just how important it is that injured soldiers like Mark get the
support and rehabilitation they need to aid their recovery.

"Mark is now a patron of the Help for Heroes charity, which has been set up to help provide facilities for wounded servicemen and women."

Cpl Sutcliffe (28), who has served in Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and Iraq with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Anglian Regiment, is now working as an assistant military liaison officer at Birmingham's Selly Oak hospital, where he had his leg amputated, looking after other needy and injured service personnel.

He said: "Like all of my other friends and relatives, Jo was there to support me through my injury and what she is doing now is simply
amazing.

"The money she raises along with the awareness of the charity will
considerably help all of the men and women who are wounded at war.

"I have seen what it is like being a patient and working in the hospital and therefore know what a good place it is. The same goes for the Headley Court rehabilitation centre. With the additional prospect of a swimming pool it will be even better."

Miss Everitt, a humanities teacher at Queen Eleanor Technology College in Stamford, added: "Mark's injury really opened my eyes to the risks that service personnel face.

"Although the risks are part of the job, there is a responsibility that in the event of injury they have the best
possible facilities and care."
However, Miss Everitt admits she has little experience of cycling and is a bit daunted by it all.
She said: "It is going to be hard work and quite an emotional experience, especially as some of the injured
soldiers will also be taking part."
Help for Heroes aims to raise a minimum of £5m for Headley Court, near Leatherhead in Surrey and hopes to build a new gymnasium and a full size swimming pool.
n If you would like to sponsor Jo and help her reach her £2,000 target, visit www.justgiving.com/joeveritt
For more about the charity, visit www.helpforheroes.org.uk