Tenby Aces Cycle Club is gearing up for a gruelling cycle ride to Cardiff and back next month to raise funds for the Armed Forces charity Help for Heroes.

The 200-plus mile round trip will see the Aces leave Tenby in the early hours of National Armed Forces Day (Saturday, June 27) aiming to arrive at the capital's Sophia Gardens by lunchtime.

After a quick break, they will then saddle up for the ride home to the resort and a welcome from the Mayor of Tenby, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane.

The Aces have selected 'Help for Heroes' in recognition of the close ties with Tenby, and Pembrokeshire as a whole has with our Armed Forces.

"We think that the area, and the UK in general owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to our Armed Forces," explained the Tenby Aces. "They risk death or serious injury on our behalf and we wanted to give something back, not only for all the local people in the Forces, but all those brave service personnel serving in combat zones across the globe who will have been trained locally."

The Aces would love the town to get behind them in their fund-raising efforts and are delighted that Tenby Town Council has already pledged its full support.

In addition to the mammoth cycle ride, a 24 hour bowls marathon is being held at Tenby Bowling Green to boost the funds, while Tenby Sea Cadets and Heywood Lane Infants School are also planning events to add to the coffers.

The club would be delighted if other organisations, schools etc., would like to organise a fund-raiser, tea party, sponsored event, whatever, towards the fund.

Alternatively, donations can be made into a special account set-up at the HSBC branch in Tenby.

The aim is to invite Major Phil Packer, who recently completed the London Marathon, even though he was told he'd never walk again after being injured in action, to visit Tenby towards the end of July or early August to receive the cheque from Tenby Aces and the town.