A TEAM of seven from the Ribble Valley will don their Lycra and take on a 150-mile bike ride for charity this weekend.

Staff, past and present, from food distribution company Total Foodservice, in Barrow, will be embarking on the ride this Saturday and Sunday, alongside representatives from some of its suppliers.

The group has raised almost £1,000 so far, and will donate the final total, hoped to be more than £5,000, to Blackburn Youth Zone.

During the two-day challenge, the team will be tackling the southern section of the gruelling Lancashire Loop.

The money they are raising will be used to continue subsidising admission at the youth zone at 50p a visit, so all young people can afford to go.

Jason Sheard, purchasing manager at the firm, said: “Every year the team at Total Foodservice pull together to raise money for a local charity, and we’re delighted to be linking up with the Blackburn Youth Zone.

“Over the years, we’ve raised more than £14,000 by tackling the coast-to-coast, cycling the Yorkshire hills, and now it’s time to get on our bikes again and experience the finest peaks that Lancashire has to offer.

“We chose the Youth Zone as we’re corporate supporters and the facility provides children from Blackburn, and the wider area, with fantastic opportunities to empower themselves to shape their future and hopefully the next generations that follow.”

Blackburn Youth Zone events manager Laura Jones said: “We are thrilled to have Total Foodservice supporting the young people of the community.

“ Continued support from the business community is vital to the success of the Youth Zone, and we can’t thank them enough.”

To donate, and for more information on the group’s chall- enge, visit: www.virginmoneygiving.com/totalfoods