Ten intrepid cyclists are riding from England to Italy in an epic one thousand mile cycle ride which will benefit the Shine together charity at Southmead and Frenchay hospitals.

Bristol based event organiser Dave Hart came up with the idea for the Gran Charity Giro after suffering an accident which left his back broken in two places. After a long rehabilitation, the keen cyclist is back in the saddle and determined to raise thousands of pounds for the charity at Frenchay and Southmead hospitals, where he was treated and made a full recovery.

The event will raise money for Shine Together, Leukaemia & Lymphona Research and the Katharine House Hospice. The team will set off on 2nd July from the Altecnic offices in Stafford to Bristol, then down to the coast where they will cross to Northern France. Then down into Switzerland and over the High Alps via the famous Grand St Bernard Pass, arriving at the Caleffi factory in Fontaneto D’Agogna near Milan on 10th July 2011.

You can find out more about the challenge and how you help support the cyclists at http://www.grancharitygiro.com/