A team of eight from HMS Raleigh are going to conduct a long-distance cycle challenge to raise money for charity.

This will be in honour of Boy Seaman Jack Cornwell VC, (1900-1916) (pictured) who is remembered for his gallantry at the Battle of Jutland.

The tour will go from Keyham Barracks, now HMS Vivid, where Jack joined the Royal Navy, to Chester, where he won his Victoria Cross and then to Grimsby where he was landed after the Battle of Jutland and died of his wounds and back to London where he is buried (Manor Park Cemetery). The final leg will see the cyclists ride from London back to Cornwell Division at HMS Raleigh.

The total mileage is 1,065 miles over 12 days with one rest day, setting off on May 12 and finishing on May 24.

Warrant Officer John Sharp said: ‘The chosen charities have significant meaning to a number of the team, Lieutenant Commander Ollie Barritt and Lieutenant Adam Wheldon, suggested Diabetes UK because Lieutenant Wheldon’s father passed away whilst in a diabetic coma and Lieutenant Commander Barritt has a family member with diabetes.

‘Chief Petty Officer Sean Hetherington had a heart attack in 2016, so the British Heart Foundation was an obvious choice. The Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity is a charity that supports and benefits all RN/RM personnel.”

The remaining members of the team are Sergeant James Hyde, Petty Officer James Vickers, Warrant Officer Mark Mullen and Sergeant Martin Burton.

If you would like to donate the just giving page is uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/CVC1000