RETAIL workers are taking on an intense fitness challenge to raise thousands of pounds for charity, and are asking shoppers to do the same.

Six staff from Eastgate Shopping Centre will cycle from London to Paris for Basildon’s St Luke’s Hospice.

The 320-mile challenge will see staff from Debenhams and the centre’s security and management team set off from Crystal Palace tomorrow.

Back at the shopping centre, shoppers will be encouraged to try and hit the milestone on exercise bikes, while staff will also collect cash to top up funds.

The challenge hopes to bring in £10,000 for St Luke’s, based in Nethermayne and will be the fourth time staff at the Eastgate Centre have saddled up for charity.

Centre manager, Ian Clark, 51, organised this year’s mission, and said: “We wanted to raise money for St Luke’s because it is a local charity that we have an affinity with given that it is for Basildon residents, who are our customers.

“We have just over £8,000 at the moment. We want to raise £10,000 and I am more than confident we will.”

The route will see the group cycle 95 miles to Dover on the first day, takeaferry to Calais, then two days cycling 75 miles with the last day taking in 60 miles.

Those taking part are Ian, security supervisor Lee Riches, security officer Chris Royal, soft services manager Stewart Aungier, Debenhams manager Alan Beasley and Debenhams store worker Chris Milton.