FIVE women are to cycle 50km to raise money for charity in memory of a soldier who was killed in action three years ago while he was serving in Afghanistan.

The Birds Wot Bike amateur cyclists hope to complete the challenge for Help For Heroes as a tribute to 26-year-old Lavenham man Lance Corporal Jonathan ‘Jo’ Woodgate, who was killed by an insurgent’s grenade while on foot patrol near Sangin in March 2010.

Alison Campion, Helen Allan, Joy Lowson, Jo Cunningham and Katy Ratcliffe will set off from the George pub in Hadleigh at 10am on April 7 on a route that will take in villages such as Aldham, Great Bricett, Lindsay and Chelsworth – where L/Cpl Woodgate is buried.

Ms Campion said: “We started cycling socially on a Wednesday evening and it became something of an addiction. It was decided that as we’d got the bug for it, we should put it to good use and organise a sponsored cycling event to raise money for charity.”

The women are keen to encourage other cyclists to join them. L/Cpl Woodgate’s father Tony will be on the starting line to see the cyclists off. A £10 registration fee for each entrant will include a snack at the pub at the end of the challenge. Email birdswotbike@hotmail.co.uk for details.