A TEAM of medics and a former patient hope to complete a 1,000 mile cycle ride across the length of Britain today to raise money for a good cause.

Staff at the Oxford Cancer Centre, based at the Churchill Hospital in Headington, began a gruelling 10-day cycle from John O’Groats to Land’s End on September 3.

The team has been covering at least 100 miles a day to finish the marathon ride today.

The 10 staff and one former patient are aiming to raise £50,000 for the county’s oesophageal and stomach cancer charity.

The Oxfordshire Oesophageal and Stomach Organisation (OOSO) was set up by cancer victim Jackie Beaumont in 2009.

The Aynho resident was diagnosed with the disease in 2007, and recovered after life-saving surgery at the Churchill Hospital.

The 60-year-old said: “I set it up to help the families and the people suffering from these cancers.

“Having your stomach or oesophagus removed is life-changing and can really affect those around you.

“What we do is send people to patient’s homes and help them organise simple things like dietary plans, and offer support in any way we can.”

So far the group of cyclists has raised £43,000, but hopes to have broken the £50,000 barrier by the time they reach Land’s End.

The money could fund the charity for a whole year.

Mrs Beaumont said: “I’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of people, it’s truly amazing and could really set us up.”

On Wednesday, the group made an overnight pit-stop in Oxford, spending a night at home after completing 680 miles of the ride.

Churchill Hospital consultant surgeon Nick Maynard said: “It’s gone pretty well, we have been very lucky with the weather after having some rain in Scotland.

“Most of the time we’ve been staying in nice hotels but we’ve had some dodgy ones as well.

“It’s great that we can have a night at home before the next leg.”

The 53-year-old father-of-three added: “My son Jack is 24 and just started working as a junior doctor in Cornwall and he will be joining us for the final leg from Liskeard to Land’s End.

“That’s going to be very special for me.”

* To sponsor a rider and donate to OOSO visit ooso.org.uk/joglerider.html