THE London to Brighton Bike Ride is the country's largest charity bike ride, welcoming 27,000 cyclists to take part each year to raise money for one of Britain's biggest charities, The British Heart Foundation (BHF).

In an attempt to raise funds for pioneering research, prevention activity and ensuring quality care and support for everyone living with heart disease, staff from Savills estate agent nationwide are donning their bike helmets and cycling shorts to take part in the scenic 54-mile ride between London and Brighton on June 15.

The director and head of office at the Locksbottom branch of Savills in Crofton Road, Nigel Humphriss is one of more than 150 members of staff on a mission to raise money for the charity, but admits he's enduring the ride for personal reasons also.

He said: "I wanted to take part because it's for a very worthy cause, but I also see it as a personal battle with myself to get fit and take part in something challenging.

"Raising money in the process is a bonus." Nigel has set himself a target of raising £1,000 for the BHF, which, since becoming involved with the national bike ride in 1980, has benefited from more than £40m worth of donations from more than 650,000 riders.

Team Savills, which will be sporting bright yellow custom-made t-shirts, aim to raise tens of thousands of pounds but the exact figure will be unknown until the race has been completed and the giant cheque presented to the charity.

Just for fun, the staff have organised an internal competition to keep them motivated and on their toes.

Nigel said: "We are riding as a team but you could say there is a bit of cycling rivalry going on. I'm hoping to complete the race in around four and a half hours and am currently riding every day in preparation."

In addition, Nigel gets together with some of his colleagues from the south east region on Sundays to train for the ride.

He said: "We are all looking forward to it and are pleased with the increase in our levels of fitness. It will be an exhausting day but a great team bonding session, and all in the name of charity."

This is the second year Savills has entered the event and numbers for people taking part have doubled.

If you would like to sponsor Nigel or Team Savills on their London to Brighton bike ride in aid of BHF, email nhumpriss@savills.com