A team of cyclists have set out from St Albans Cathedral for a four-day charity cycle ride to France.

Herts Advertiser: The cyclists being blessed by Sub Dean Richard Watson.The cyclists being blessed by Sub Dean Richard Watson. (Image: Archant)

The riders will cycle 350 miles to Epernay in the Champagne region of France to raise money for Harpenden-based charity the A-T Society, which supports families living with the rare genetic condition Ataxia-Telangiectasia.

Four-additional team members will join the group in Portsmouth for the ride across the WWII battlefields. Some of the cyclists are taking part because they know a child with the condition or were moved by the story of 18-year-old Ebony Robinson, who has A-T and took part in the BBC’s One Show rickshaw challenge. One mum is riding in memory of her son who died at the beginning of the year.

A-T is a rare, neurodegenerative disorder which causes severe disability and usually affects children.

Before the cyclists set out, they were served breakfast by Pizza Hut delivery staff while The White Hart pub provided hot water for coffee. St Albans Cathedral Sub Dean Richard Watson also blessed the team before the event.