MEMBERS of Wytham Cricket Club near Oxford are ditching their bats in favour of bikes for a fundraising cycle challenge.

Four players from the club will take on a ‘Pole to Pole’ challenge to raise funds for the village church roof, cycling 100 miles from Oxfordshire’s most northern parish to its most southerly one.

Beginning in Claydon village north of Banbury, the team will cycle to Dunsden in South Oxfordshire on Saturday, September 12.

Rider Philip Blakeman said: “Four of us did it last year.

“This year our target is £1,500; last year it was £800 and we raised £1,300. My feelings are complete trepidation. Last year we trained very hard and early but now we’re a bit late.

“But we are all looking forward to it – the club and the village really get behind it.”

At the end of their trek southwards, the team will turn round and return to Wytham to celebrate.

Mr Blakeman added: “We will be in the White Hart at Wytham and I’m sure a few beers will be sunk.”

For more information or to donate, visit justgiving.com/wythamcricket2015