They’re planning to cycle 1,400 miles for charity- but not before they complete a full lap of the Isle of Wight. A team of Island firefighters will leave St Thomas’ Square tonight, bound for ST Peter’s Square in the Vatican City in Rome.
Today, they’ll warm up by pedalling 70 miles around the Island, visiting all the fire stations here. For their trip across Europe, the team will catch a ferry from Portsmouth to France, heading south and then east, over the Alps into Italy. They will then cycle down the west coast of Italy, to Rome. This year, the challenge is in memory of much loved Island Anthony Minghella and is in aid of the Wessex Cancer Trust. The team have already doubled their target and hope to make more than £60,000. For more information about the challenge visit,
www.squaretosquare.org.uk. Visit the Beacon Online for picutres, later.