A team from wealth advisers Sanlam UK will be joined by a former England cricket star as they take part in their own version of the Tour de France to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Members from twelve Sanlam UK regional offices will be joining team leader Jonathan Polin, who is the chief executive of the firm, in what is being heralded as the ‘Great Sanlam Cycling Challenge’. It will last for nine days and see riders travel across the country.

Riders will have to cycle a total of 850 miles over the next nine days and they will be stopping at all of Sanlam UK’s regional offices.

The team will set off from London to Marlow and Fareham today, as they aim to raise £100,000 for CASCAID and cancer research.

CASCAID is the UK asset management industry’s initiative that aims to raise more than £2 million for Cancer Research UK by the end of the year.

During the challenge, the riders from Sanlam UK will also be joined by professional cycling outfit ONE Pro Cycling, headed by chief executive and former England international cricketer Matt Prior, who will join the challenge for three legs of the journey.

Jonathan Polin, chief executive of Sanlam UK, said: “We are excited by the opportunity to support this incredible charity, whose work is so crucial in understanding how to cure cancer.  We are aiming to contribute £100,000 towards CASCAID’s £2 million target, and we have every confidence that we will reach this target.”

Matt Prior, chief executive of ONE Pro Cycling, said: “We are delighted to be helping Sanlam complete this epic challenge for such a worthy cause. Our experienced team will be on hand to provide support as they make their journey across the country, and I’m excited to jump on the saddle and offer words of encouragement along the way.”