AN energetic assistance Scout leader is hoping to cycle 700 miles on an exercise bike over the next seven weeks to raise money for a trip of a lifetime.

As previously reported in Your Worcester News, Karen Martens, assistant Scout leader at 2nd Worcester Scout Group in St John's, is flying 5,775 miles to Tokyo, Japan, next summer after being selected for the 23rd World Scout Jamboree.

Mrs Martens, of St John's, who has been volunteering with the girls guides and Scouts for the last 14 years, is one of four leaders from Hereford & Worcester Scout County going on the trip taking place from July 28 to August 8 next year and will be responsible for 36 young people.

She has already raised £1,600 towards her £2,995 target to fund the trip and is hoping to get sponsorship for her next challenge which will see her ride 870 miles, the equivalent of the Wales Coast Route.

The 47-year-old is no stranger to endurance feats after recently raising £310 in a sponsored 31-mile walk along the length of Worcester & Birmingham Canal which saw her walk for 12 hours from Birmingham to Worcester.

"It was hard going," she said. "Walking 31 miles is never going to be easy but we set off at 7am and got back to Worcester at 7.15pm.

"The last five miles were really tough. I had a very sore big toe but not a single blister surprisingly."

Mrs Martens, who has already ridden 170 miles since starting the cycle challenge last month, is aiming to do 100 miles a week by her birthday on September 11 to get to her next fundraising milestone.

"I'm just being really strict with myself," she said. "I have to do an hour on the bike in the morning before I do anything else."

To sponsor Mrs Martens, email karen.martens@sky.com or call 07775 707794.