A GROUP of Alton firefighters formed part of a ‘Hose Monkeys’ team from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service which is aiming to raise £2,000 after cycling 62 miles around London.

Ian Crawley, Gary Marsh and Duncan Foster took part in this year’s Nightrider Challenge, which was undertaken overnight after taking in the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf.

The team also got to cycle over the iconic Abbey Road crossing made famous by The Beatles.

They were joined by fellow firefighters from Rushmoor and West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, as well as Ian’s daughter, Clarissa Crawley, and her boyfriend, Andy Friend.

The group are raising money for The Fire Fighters Charity.

Mr Crawley said: “I haven’t needed the charity myself but I know people who have and the help they give families. It is a very worthwhile cause.

“I was attracted to the Nightrider Challenge because I’m a keen cyclist and the experience of cycling through London is something entirely different.”

He has taken on the challenge for the past three years.

The Hose Monkeys can sponsored until the end of August via justgiving.com/

fundraising/hosemonkeys.