A group including two former Tottenham footballers have signed up for a 1,400 mile charity cycle ride from Woodford Green to Marbella.

Friends Paul Gravatt and Jon Dalby are hoping to raise over £100,000 for four cancer charities and will set off on May 10 next year from La Sala restaurant and bar, in Chigwell Road, to its sister restaurant in southern Spain.

A launch event was held last night (October 6) at the restaurant.

They will be joined on the ride by former international footballers Stephen Carr and David Bentley, who are both shareholders in the Woodford Green-based business.

The cash raised will be divided between cancer charities Cancer Research UK, Children with Cancer, Breast Cancer Now and Orchid.

The plan is to travel 100 miles a day to arrive at La Sala Banus on May 25 for a Gala Dinner celebration.

Mr Gravatt, of Felsted, said he came up with the idea after being inspired by a number of family and close friends who have battled the disease.

James Horler, chairman of La Sala, pledged his business’s support after meeting the 44-year-old in Spain.

Mr Gravatt said: “My mum and mother-in-law have both recently beaten cancer but having lost other family and friends I felt I had to do something to support cancer charities.

“I watched a documentary on a charity bike ride from Porto to Newcastle for the Bobby Robson Foundation and I decided to do a similar challenge.

Mr Dalby, 51, of Chelmsford, is aware of the huge task they have set themselves.

He said: “We wanted to do something really challenging and this will certainly be a tough ride.

“The weather could be a big factor in whether we can complete 100 miles a day, if there are heavy winds or rain then that could slow us down.

“Riding a bike every day with a small saddle will be uncomfortable but we can do it.”

39-year-old former defender Stephen Carr has played 44 times for Republic of Ireland.

"I'm really excited by the cycling challenge and raising a lot of money for our cancer charities," he said.

“Cancer has invaded the lives of so many people I know, and I just couldn't resist getting involved and helping to make a difference."

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Former footballers Stephen Carr (left) and David Bentley will undertake the bike ride too.