The group will raise money to show their support for Emily McArthur who is being treated for the ovarian form of the disease.

The team, including her husband Justin McArthur, are cycling 100 miles from the capital to the couple's home in Weilerswist Drive on November 17 and 18.

Riders are hoping to raise £3,000 for the event which will help fund a new research unit for charity Ovarian Cancer Action.

The 27-year-old was diagnosed with the disease in 2005 after suffering severe abdominal pain. She was treated at University Hospital Coventry where she had a exploratory surgery and a course of chemotherapy.

Six months after finishing her treatment a scan showed Mrs McArthur's tumour had grown back and she is now halfway through her second course of chemotherapy.

She is hoping the event will raise awareness of the disease and said: "Before I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer I knew it existed and that it was often referred to as 'the silent killer' but that was really all.

"Like the majority of people my age, getting cancer didn't really figure in my list of life worries. It was more getting on the property ladder and paying off my student loan - I certainly never imagined that it was an illness I would ever get at my age."

The disease is the fourth most common cancer in women with 7,000 diagnosed with the disease each year. If found in the early stages up to 95 per cent of women will survive for more than five years. Symptoms include feeling full persistently, difficulty eating, abdominal and pelvic pain, bloating and increased abdominal size.

Mrs McArthur, who works for the online jobs board at Warwick University, is pleased her friends and husband are supporting the cause and said: "They organised this event. I just told them which charity I would like them to raise money for. They decided to organise it as a way of showing their support to me while I'm going through treatment again.

"I feel extremely proud of everyone who is involved in the cycle because not only are they raising money for such a good cause but they are raising far more awareness of ovarian cancer than I could ever hope to on my own.

"On a personal level it shows me how much support I have behind me and that makes going through chemotherapy much easier."

Mrs McArthur added: "The charity is hugely important because it is dedicated to improving survival rates for ovarian cancer through funding research, raising awareness and giving a voice.

"It aims to improve early diagnosis, find better treatments and ways of preventing ovarian cancer altogether - something which is absolutely vital. "

Anyone wanting to sponsor the team should visit:

www.justgiving.com/ldn2leam/