PEDAL power will boost the Argus Sparkle Appeal - when Newport firefighters take on a gruelling sponsored cycle ride.

Firefighters from the Maindee station will be taking part in the event later this year - covering approximately 850 miles in September to raise funds for the Fire Service benevolent Fund and Sparkle.

A group of 10 firefighters, mostly from Maindee but also from Cardiff and Merthyr, are preparing for their fifth charity cycle ride in eight years.

The Argus Sparkle Appeal aims to raise £250,000 towards a £6m children's centre for children to be built at High Cross. It will provide one-stop care and support for disabled children and their parents from the Newport, Torfaen and south Monmouthshire area.

Laurie Williams, a firefighter at Maindee, said 20 per cent of the money they raised would go towards the Sparkle Appeal.

"We always try to have a local charity involved. We have done Eveswell Children's Centre before and we decided to support Sparkle.

"Every charity is worthwhile and they need the money as much as anybody else and, hopefully, it will raise awareness."

Mr Williams said they were still undecided on the cycle route, whether it would be from Bilbao to Gibraltar or from Pennsylvania to New York.

But he was certain that over the ten-day cycle they would be clocking up roughly 120 miles a day.

"We will have a meeting to discuss training plans.

"We will probably cycle to mid Wales, stay overnight, and then cycle back. We could do that a few times to get fit and then step up the training."

He said: "We are looking forward to it. Last time we raised nearly £10,000 and that is the best part - getting the money in for charity.

"At the end of the day it is nice to set yourself the challenge but the big part as far as most of us are concerned is raising money for charity."

Anyone who wishes to sponsor them can contact Tony Devlin, sub officer and watch commander or station officer Nick Jones at Maindee on 01443 232499.