An intrepid group of cyclists are in training to ride more than 1,000 kilometers to Stevenage’s twin towns in France and Germany in a bid to raise £100,000 for the Lister Hospital.

The Comet: Neil Trebble, a member of the Twin Towns 1000 team introduces the group and explains their plans to those gathered outside the Lister Hospital.Neil Trebble, a member of the Twin Towns 1000 team introduces the group and explains their plans to those gathered outside the Lister Hospital. (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2016)

The passionate riders, called ‘Twin Towns 1000’ officially launched their fundraising campaign at The Plaza outside the hospital on Friday in front of a large crowd of well-wishers, doctors and nurses from the hospital backing the cause, and assorted dignitaries.

The group of cyclists – including BBC Radio’s Stevenage FC reporter Steve Watkins – plan to ride from the hospital to the port of Harwich, then from Holland onto Stevenage’s twin towns of Ingleheim near Frankfurt in Germany and Autun in the Burgundy region of France.

Steve – along with Adrian Morris, Ben Austin, Darren Heath, Graham Hoare, Neil Trebble, Peter van Poelgeest, Peter White, Stephen Hibberd, Steve Clarkson and Layth Yousif – will be taking on the nine-day route from June 9 to June 18.

They are also looking for as many riders as possible to join them on their first leg on Friday, June 9 from Stevenage to Harwich.

The Comet: Team captain of Twin Towns 1000 Steve Watkins.Team captain of Twin Towns 1000 Steve Watkins. (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2016)

In a powerful speech to supporters Neil said: “We’ve raised money for good causes further afield on previous rides but this time we thought why not do something closer to home – so we decided to try and raise money for our local hospital, the Lister.”

He also joked: “If you’d said to me I’d be involved in riding 1,000k I’d have thought you were on a form of prescribed medication!” adding, “We want as many people as possible to get involved in any way they can to support us and help us reach our goal of raising £100,000 for such a wonderful hospital.

“When people come together they can achieve good things.”

Stevenage Mayor and Mayoress, John and Joan Lloyd, were in attendance supporting the launch, along with Stevenage borough councillors and representatives from the Twin Town Association, Barnwell School teachers and pupils, as well as the East and North Herts NHS Trust and East and North Herts Hospitals Charity.

Stephen McPartland, MP for Stevenage, wished the cyclists well with their training and fundraising efforts, saying: “I encourage local businesses along with the local community, most of whom have used the Lister at some point in their life, to get involved and lend their support to this fantastic fundraising initiative.

“This is a brilliant team effort to make a real difference in enhancing our local hospital and I wish the cyclists every success.”

To find out more about the Twin Towns 1000 cycle ride visit www.twintowns1000.bike. Follow them on Twitter @twintowns1000 and their Facebook page www.facebook.com/Twintowns1000/. A Just Giving page has been set up – where, incredibly, more than £1250 has already been raised towards the total Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/twintowns1000.An intrepid group of cyclists are in training to ride more than 1,000 kilometers to Stevenage’s twin towns in France and Germany in a bid to raise £100,000 for the Lister Hospital.