A NEWCOMER to the world of cycling is about to saddle up for a cross country ride after his partner was involved in a motorbike accident.

Luke Armiger, from Braintree, is cycling 1,040 miles from John o’Groats in Scotland to Land’s End in May.

The charity challenge is in aid of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

Luke’s partner, Sara Carter, was involved in a motorcycle accident near Devon July 2018 and sustained life-threatening injuries.

She broke multiple bones and had to be air lifted to hospital by the crew from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

Sara described every day since the accident as a ‘blessing’ for the couple.

She said: “Through the tough, the good and the bad, Luke’s support has been amazing.

“Ever since leaving the hospital we planned to give back to them for saving me.

Sara was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital where she received the emergency treatment she needed, including five operations over three weeks.

She also has a metal frame fitted to her right leg which is due to be removed in January.

Sara added: “Luke witnessed a horrific scene that day and it was his face and voice that kept me going.”

Luke said he wanted to give something back to the charity that supported him, as well as Sara.

He said: “Sara said to me if I can get through this accident then you can get through anything.

“The team of people and the work that went into saving her life and then her leg was phenomenal.

“Without them, Sara would not have made it.”

Luke has begun training for the cycle, tackling a two-hour cycle every day and a four-hour cycle on a Sunday.

He said: “It’s a bonkers idea, I haven’t ridden a bike since I was a kid.

“I am on a bike longer than I need to be and I have started hurting in lots of different areas.”

Luke is aiming to complete the distance in nine days or less and Sara will be following him all the way in a support van.

All money raised with be donated to the ambulance charity. To donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lukeendtoend.