A GROUP of friends will be joining forces to cycle the length of mainland Britain to raise money for a worthy cause in memory of a West Somerset woman next month.

Paul Harrison and Chris Thorne, who both work at Minehead Middle School, will be among a small team of people who will be hopping on their bikes to cycle from John O'Groats in Scotland to Land's End in Cornwall.

The epic ride is scheduled to take ten days, with every penny raised being donated to St Margaret's Somerset Hospice in memory of Moira Blackmore.

Moira, who was originally from Alcombe and whose maiden name was Elliott, lost her battle against a brain tumour in July 2011.

She was being cared for at the hospice in Taunton and her brother-in-law Paul said the care she received was second to none.

"I went to the hospice when Moira was there and the care she had was mind-blowing.

"I wanted to do something to thank them, but I didn't want to just do a fundraising day event, I wanted to do something big and to make it as big as possible," Paul said.

With the support of work colleague Chris, Moira's husband Phil, her son Karl and friends and supporters Bob Breen and John and Hilary Murley, Team Moisy was formed with the aim of cycling the length of mainland Britain.

The team has already received hundreds of pounds of pledges in aid of the hospice and while Paul has previously undertaken charity challenges, including a walk to Edinburgh in aid of the British Heart Foundation, Chris is equally well prepared having successfully completed the New York Marathon and a Half Ironman competition.

"I can't wait to get started and I think the reality of the challenge will really dawn on me when we actually get started.

"To do the challenge for such an amazing charity will certainly make me pedal that little bit faster and I feel really honoured to have been asked to cycle with Paul and the team and to raise money in memory of Moira and everyone that have been supported by St Margaret's Hospice," Chris said.

The group has set up its own website - http://www.teammoisy.com">www.teammoisy.com - explaining more about the challenge, team members and how people can sponsor them.

Collection boxes are also available in the St Margaret's Somerset Hospice charity shop in Minehead and in pubs in the town.

The cycle ride, which is sponsored by Mercedes and Delivery Direct, starts at John O'Groats on July 27, the second anniversary of Moira's death.

Team Moisy will be holding a fundraising bingo in aid of the hospice at Minehead Middle School, on July 5. Doors open at 6pm.

Photo: Steve Guscott