MAINDEE firefighters set off on a training cycle ride to Swansea before taking part in a gruelling 850-mile cycle in September.

The Newport firemen will cycle across Spain from Santander to Gibraltar in September to help raise money for our Sparkle Appeal.

We launched the Sparkle Appeal last December to raise £250,000 towards a £6 million children's centre to be built at High Cross which would help 1,200 disabled children.

But on Monday the team started out on a 120-mile trip to Swansea via Brecon, and then back again.

The team of ten firefighters will be raising money for Sparkle and the Fire Service Benevolent Fund.

This cycle ride will be the fifth over a period of eight years, but the enthusiasm to raise more money is still there.

Tony Devlin, sub-station officer, said: "Preparations are going well and we are looking forward to the big ride in a few months."

l If you would like to support the firefighters in their cycle or would like to buy a special T-shirt, which is dark blue and says 'I support the FSBF and Sparkle Argus Appeal', then phone 01633 275830.