A team from the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service is aiming to raise tens of thousands of pounds for charity by organising a gruelling cycling challenge.

A launch event for the second ‘100 Here 100 There’ challenge is being held at 12pm on November 11 2014 at Ryde Fire Station.

The 100 Here 100 There challenge is made up of two separate events that take place in June and September 2015 respectively.

The 100 Here element takes place on Sunday June 28 and is open to all. It incorporates a choice of two cycling routes around the Island.

One covers 100km while the other sees participants cycle over 100 miles in length with more than 3000 metres of climbing involved.

Both routes will be fully supported and registration and entry details can be found on the website iow100.com.

The 100 There challenge sees a team of 10 local firefighters and a support crew attempt to cycle from the Isle of Wight to Monaco and back.

They leave the Island on Saturday September 12 2015 and return on September 26.

The riders will be cycling more than 200km every day, and each leg includes three days in the mountains of the French Alps and three days across the rolling terrain of France.

During the challenge, they will ride up many mountains and will ascend the climbs of Alp D’Huez and Mont Ventoux, both made famous by the Tour de France.

Any money raised will all go directly to the following organisations for the benefit of Island residents:

• The Wessex Cancer Trust - Isle of Wight Cancer Support Centre

• Isle of Wight ASBAH - Association of Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus • Alzheimers Cafes – Isle of Wight

• Parkinsons UK – Isle of Wight branch

• Cruse Bereavement Care – Isle of Wight branch

• Families of Ocean Ward – Southampton’s Children and Young Adult Heart Services.

The launch event on Tuesday  November 11 and will be attended by the riders, support crew, committee members and representatives from each of the charities.

Last year, a similar challenge raised over £40,000 for good causes.