Friends of former Wallingford rower Carolyn Jones, who was seriously injured in the Swiss Alps, are taking part in a sponsored bike ride to raise funds for her care.

They plan to leave Dover tomorrow and cycle to the north west of Scotland, arriving on Sunday, May 25. They will use any money raised to buy a van that has been adapted to carry Ms Jones in her wheelchair.

Ms Jones, 35, was injured after being trapped under water during the Adventure Racing World Championships in September 2001.

She was revived at the scene, but later fell into a coma. She has not regained full speech or movement and is a long-term patient at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, close to her parents' home.

Last year, ride organiser Kevin Sharp raised £9,500 for the Carolyn Jones Trust Fund by cycling from Lands End to John O'Groats. He and nine of her friends will complete the other diagonal route across Britain.

Mr Sharp said: "Being able to visit Carolyn in Edinburgh gives us a good focal point to aim for."

Her father, Morgan, said: "Having a van with a ramp would enable us to take Carolyn out of hospital.

"We'd like to bring her home and take her to the seaside."

Ms Jones, a former member of Wallingford Rowing Club, was a world class rower.

She won a gold medal at the British National Championships in the lightweight single sculls in 1998.

Offers of support can be made at www.slipstreamers.info or to kev.sharp@btopenworld.com