A KINGSWINFORD cycling hero has joined the campaign to support a lifesaving charity which fell victim to heartless crooks.

Triple world masters champion Roger Iddles, aged 67, is raising money for Midlands Air Ambulance (MAA) by riding from Land’s End to John O’ Groats this week.

Roger, who is part of a six-strong team plus two support crew, set off on Saturday June 25 to cover the 861 mile route in seven-and-a-half days.

Although the adventure has been planned for months, fundraisers from the Stourbridge Velo club say getting cash to the charity is now even more important after raiders took around £12,000 from MAA premises in Brierley Hill on June 21.

Roger Iddles said: “We are over the moon we decided to take on this challenge on behalf of the air ambulance and the whole team have been training hard for months.”

To donate visit the Stourbridge Velo Cycling Club team's fundraising page at www.midlandsairambulance.com/stourbridgevelocc

Following the raid when three men armed with a Taser gun held around 20 staff hostage, charity chiefs says they have been inundated with messages of support and £1,300 has already been donated by outraged members of the public.

Charity director, Hanna Sebright, said: “Those responsible will not deter the hard work that our employees, fundraisers and volunteers do.

“What has happened has simply given staff a stronger sense of determination to continue to raise more money than ever before and to prove that the actions of these individuals will not stop us.”

Castle & Crystal Credit Union in Dudley has pledged its support to MAA in the wake of the raid.

The Dudley Council-backed credit union is matching a donation of £250 by Stourbridge publican Mike Cartwright to help the charity.

Councillor David Blood, Dudley cabinet member for finance, said: “This is a sickening crime and it is truly unbelievable to imagine that people would steal from such a vital service.

“It seems appropriate that Castle & Crystal Credit Union, which supports local people with their finances, offers a contribution to this worthy cause.”

A Merry Hill supermarket has also announced its support for MAA as its charity of the year.

Sainsbury’s staff, who made their decision to support the flying medics before the raid, will taking part in a sponsored walk from Stourbridge to Kinver on Saturday July 3 and are promising further events in the coming months.

Fitness queen Jean Hughes and her dedicated band of Wordsley keep fitters have also pledged to raise money for MAA.

The Jean Hughes Keep Fit Troupe, based at Wordsley Community Centre, have raised £8,000 for the charity through fundraisers in the past - and they had been planning to pull in a further £3,000 this year through sponsored keep fit sessions, raffles, discos and other events.

But following last week’s raid on the charity - the sprightly seniors say it is now more important than ever to raise the cash.

Jean said: “It’s terrible to think somebody can go and steal what’s been given by the public to this vital service.”

“We’re going all out to get the £3,000 to bring our funds raised up to £11,000. I’ve got a good group - we will get there.”