FIVE intrepid cyclists are to pedal from London to Paris to raise awareness and money for bone cancer research.

Paula "Fred" Deverell, Nikki Thompson, Charlotte Hopkinson, Amanda Welch and Sally Drake started training in September for the four-day ride which they will embark upon on June 9.

Fred said she decided to do the ride after her father was diagnosed with myeloma, cancer of the bone marrow.

She said: "He's finished a course of chemo tablets, which keeps it at bay. But it will never go as myeloma is incurable at present. He's a fit, active man, but it's left its mark."

Although she hasn't been on a bike since her childhood, Fred and the other four riders will set out from Greenwich across the downs to Dover. After a ferry crossing to Calais, they will switch sides of the road and ride to Abbevilla, then to Beauvais.

On the final day, they will cycle down to Paris via the Oise region and along the river Seine, on to the Arc de Triomphe. They will finish by cycling down the Champs Elysees to the Eiffel Tower. This will be June 12 - Fred's father's birthday.

Fred said: "It will be hard, there will be sores but, knowing the five of us, a lot of laughter and we'll be proud of what we have achieved."

The women are juggling training in the Ryedale countryside in preparation for days of solid cycling with work and family life.

Fred added: "We wanted to challenge ourselves and take us out of our comfort zone and after sitting on a bike for five hours we certainly are. Myeloma was a word none of us knew and I hope through our challenge more people are aware of it."

The cyclists have a target of £1,500. To donate, go to justgiving.com/p-deverell

For more information on myeloma, go to myeloma.org.uk