A TEAM of colleagues from a Birchwood gin firm is set to embark on a 340-mile bike ride next month, traversing the hills and valleys of England, Wales and Ireland over five days in aid of St Rocco’s Hospice.

The hospice cared for Rachael Thompson in her final weeks before she passed away in January aged 43 from cervical cancer.

The mum-of-two received 'gentle and nurturing' care at the hospice and Natasha Dowsett, Rachael's sister-in-law said: "Staff could not do enough to make Rachael comfortable.

"Anything Rachael wanted, the hospice got it – they were amazing."

Her children's dad Kris Dickenson is the group integration director at G&J Distillers and so the charity is close to the company's heart.

Dubbed 'The Road to Dublin', the riders from Quintessential Brands will start their epic journey at G&J Distillers in Birchwood on Friday, April 26, cycling down to Wales through Snowdonia before taking a ferry across the Irish Sea.

Once on the Emerald Isle, their first destination will be First Ireland Spirits, the company’s Irish cream distillery in Abbeyleix in County Laois, before setting their sights on Dublin.

The ride will end on Tuesday, April 30 at the Dublin Liberties Distillery, which the company opened earlier this year.

The nine-man team – which includes CEO and co-founder, Warren Scott – will climb more than 18,000ft in total.

They will be joined for the Irish leg of the bike ride by Sinead O’Frighil, global marketing director, Quintessential Brands Group.

The team has set up a fundraising page to receive donations for St Rocco’s and are asking friends of the company to give generously so they can achieve their target of £20,000 for the hospice.

Warren Scott, CEO and co-founder of Quintessential Brands Group, said: “Warrington has been the home of G&J Distillers for centuries and has a special place in our hearts, and in the history of our company, as the home of so many of our colleagues, past and present.

"We’re proud to be an integral part of the Warrington community, like St Rocco’s, which has provided invaluable support to some of our team over the years.

"The Road to Dublin Bike Ride is going to be quite a challenge for many of us taking part, but we’re determined to raise as much money as we can to help the St Rocco’s team and give back to the community.”

If you’d like to make a donation, please www.justgiving.com/fundraising/quintessential-brands-roadtodublin