A ROYAL Air Force Police sergeant and Royal Military Police staff sergeant based in Liss, near Petersfield, are currently training to compete in Revolve 24, the Brands Hatch Cycle Challenge.

Sergeant Andy Gray, 38, will be taking on the challenge with Staff Sergeant Mark Hardy, 39, in aid of Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for blind and vision-impaired former servicemen and women.

Andy, who hails from Bradford in West Yorkshire, said: “Mark mentioned it to me and I thought, ‘sure, why not?’. He said it was for a charity called Blind Veterans UK, and once I’d done some research into the organisation I could tell it was an enormously worthwhile cause.

“Being servicemen ourselves, we’re always keen to help out causes like this as much as we can, so we’re both looking forward to hopefully raising as much money as possible.”

Revolve 24, which takes place from September 16-17, will allow participants to challenge themselves on the iconic Brands Hatch circuit.

On the day there will be three challenges available – 24 hours, 12 hours, and six hours. Participants can enter as an individual or in teams of two, four, six or eight. Andy and Mark will be competing as individuals in the full 24-hour challenge.

Andy and Mark are currently based at the close protection unit in Liss and both have served for 18 years. It is through their own service that their immense gratitude and appreciation for those who have gone before them stems from.

Sgt Gray said: “Obviously being in the RAF and the Army we have a natural affiliation with the forces. Anyone who has served our country and suffered injury because of that, whether during or after their service, deserves our total support.

“For us, Blind Veterans UK really stands out in that sense. It’s a great charity and a worthwhile cause.”

For now, Andy and Mark are focusing their attention on both fundraising and training.

“Fundraising is going well. We are just trying to push it out as far and as wide as we can to make sure we can raise as much as possible,” said Sgt Gray.

“Training is going good too. We’re both pretty busy, so it’s difficult finding the time to train but whenever we do have the opportunity, we’re both out on the bikes.

“Even though we’ve entered together and trained together, come race day we’ll be competitors, so it’s safe to say there’s some mutual motivation going on!”

To donate, visit justgiving.com/andygray-blindveteransuk or

justgiving.com/fundraising/teamhardy6.