Hampshire based PLANETS Cancer Charity has reached more than £30k in donations as they gear up for a 100-mile cycle challenge.

The 'Dawn To Dusk' event on June 22 is set to feature 54 members, comprising of doctors, nurses, patients and supporters.

The count so far totals £31,952, and it is edging closer to the goal of £50k.

The cycling route will start in Winchester and end in East Huntspill, Somerset.

To celebrate the close of the day, participants will gather at a farm with lodges, glamping pods and yurts.

Among the cyclists will be Dr Brian Stedman, a consultant interventional radiologist and the charity's co-founder, alongside consultant hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeon Arjun Takhar, who has operated on several patients taking part in the event.

Participants from University Hospital Southampton will join the cause, and celebrity chef and PLANETS patron Lesley Waters, whose husband and son are taking part, will welcome participants at the finishing line.

Andy Croce, 56, from Poole is one of the patients taking part, having had 15 liver lesions and part of his colon removed by Mr Takhar in 2022.

Mr Croce said: "I am participating in the PLANETS charity cycle to help raise much-needed funds for all the amazing things they do and to support other patients."

54 people will go on the ride   (Image: PLANETS Cancer Charity) He marked the occasion as an impressive challenge and a chance to foster fitness and new hobbies.

Also among the riders is 67 year old Jane Clouting from the New Forest, who underwent bowel cancer surgery in 2020.

Ms Clouting said: "The PLANETS team are truly inspirational. They have raised a huge amount of money for the benefit of the people they support and our part of the UK would be a poorer place without them."

To find out more or donate visit justgiving.com/campaign/dawn2dusk.

Businesses and organisations have supported the cycle, including Bayview Developments and Rawlins Davy Reeves: Solicitors, who have sponsored the cyclists' jerseys.

Medical device company Boston Scientific has also backed the event, while numerous businesses across Hampshire and Dorset have contributed money for fuel stations, support vans, and goodie bags at the end.

Jo Green, director of operations and marketing at PLANETS, said: "We still have a long way to go to reach our £50k target, however, so we want people to keep spreading the word."