An intrepid group of fundraisers are to embark on a ‘four-midable’ cycling challenge in aid of autistic people and their families.

This year’s epic fundraising event by the North East Autism Society (NEAS) has been dubbed ‘The Quaternity Cycling Challenge’ because it will take the riders through four countries for the first time.

Last year’s ‘Twin Town Tour’ was across the Netherlands and Germany, but the number of countries covered this year has been doubled to four – Britain, France, Belgium and Netherlands.

The 270-mile ride, starting in London and finishing in Amsterdam, is again being backed by a host of companies, with LM Global Telecoms returning as headline sponsor.

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Other main sponsors are Fleet Recruitment, Muckle LLP, and Performance 28, with further support coming from Activa, PWA, Darlington Building Society, Escapes by KH, and Cycle Refuge.

Jon Appleton, fundraising officer for NEAS, said: “Every year, we try to come up with something new for the cycling challenge, and spanning four countries will make this year’s event extra-special.

“It promises to be both testing and fun, and we can’t wait to get going. It’s fantastic to have LM Global Telecoms back as our headline sponsor, and we are so grateful to them and the other sponsors for their support.”

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LM Global Telecoms provide telecommunications services for the charity, and the company’s managing director, Terry Lewis, has an autistic daughter.

Terry said: “We were proud to come on board as the headline sponsor of the cycling challenge last year, and we are delighted to be repeating our support this year.

“NEAS is a wonderful charity that makes a huge difference to the lives of autistic and neurodiverse people, along with their families, and this year’s challenge sounds more exciting than ever.”

The six-day challenge starts with an overnight stay in London on August 24 before setting off from the capital the next day. The team will then cycle to Dover to catch an evening ferry to Dunkirk. The route takes the riders through Bruges and The Hague before finishing in Amsterdam on August 27, with a return ferry docking in North Shields on August 29.

The cost of taking part is £400 – the same as last year – to include all non-cycling transport, accommodation, a Team NEAS jersey, and a support crew throughout the ride.

Participants are asked to raise at least £400 in sponsorship to support NEAS in providing lifeline services for autistic people across the North-East.