A GRENOFEN family is gearing up for a 350-mile cycling challenge in aid of Help for Heroes.

Physiotherapist Lottie Fulton and her parents Liz and Jamie have signed up for the Big Battlefield Bike Ride (BBBR) — the original Help for Heroes fundraiser and the charity's signature challenge.

Last year, Lottie battled around 400 miles from Brussels to Paris and then on to London with a large team of injured service men and women, over five days.

But this year, from June 14 to 21, Lottie will undertake the mammoth cycle with her parents from Paris to London, on a World War Two themed route through Normandy, taking in the D-Day beaches.

Lottie said: 'The challenges I will face are similar to last year. Although I am much fitter, it is still an endurance event and we are cycling 350 to 400 miles from Paris to London.

'It will be a lovely experience for all of us to do it together; we are all very excited but a little nervous at the same time.

'Training together has been difficult due to our busy schedules, however, mum has come on leaps and bounds, and Dad is fitting in his training when he can, as he is the busiest of us all.'

This is the ninth annual challenge of the BBBR.

All cyclists will visit the historic sites while cycling alongside a number of wounded, injured and sick heroes.

At the end of the week, the Fultons and all participants will arrive back in the UK for the culmination of Hero Ride on Sunday, in which all riders unite in a major demonstration of support to the troops.

Jock Easton, general manager of Help for Heroes' Plymouth Naval Service Recovery Centre, said: 'Lottie's enthusiasm and determination for Hero Ride is commendable.

'It's great that she's managed to rope her parents in too!

'We welcomed Lottie to the Recovery Centre recently and it's plain to see her passion for Help for Heroes.

'It would be great to see more local people signing up and joining with our wounded, injured and sick heroes to ride together in our cycling challenge.'

To donate towards Lottie, Liz and Jamie's challenge for charity, visit http://www.bmycharity.com/LottieFulton1">www.bmycharity.com/LottieFulton1