A HUSBAND and wife are celebrating their wedding anniversary in a different way this year by cycling to the city of love for charity.Gareth and Ruth Roberts, of Sidegate Lane, are planning to cycle 244 miles from London to Paris over four days, starting on their 15th wedding anniversary, to raise money for The Stroke Association.

A HUSBAND and wife are celebrating their wedding anniversary in a different way this year by cycling to the city of love for charity.

Gareth and Ruth Roberts, of Sidegate Lane, are planning to cycle 244 miles from London to Paris over four days, starting on their 15th wedding anniversary, to raise money for The Stroke Association.

The ride to the French capital is even more significant as it was the destination where the couple, who now have four children, got engaged.

They are holding a fundraising concert of Midsummer Melodies at All Saints Church, Chevallier Street, Ipswich, on Saturday, July 5.

Mr Roberts said: “Although we often go cycling as a family, we have never attempted such a long distance in such a short time. We are really looking forward to taking on this challenge together to mark our 15th wedding anniversary.

“We hope to raise at least £2,600 and we will be covering the cost of the trip ourselves so all the funds raised will go towards the important work of The Stroke Association. We also have got lots of sponsorship from friends and family.”

Mr Roberts, 46, and Mrs Roberts, 39, both have personal reasons for supporting the charity as they have family members affected by strokes.

The programme for the concert will include folk songs, spirituals and other melodies, by Suffolk Singers, conducted by Rob Goodrich, and Acafella, an Ipswich-based quartet, both of which Mr Roberts is a member of, and a flute trio from Essex.

Tim Edwards, regional fundraising manager for The Stroke Association, said: “We hope that as many local people as possible will come forward to support the concert which promises to be a magical event and to sponsor their epic bike ride with which we wish them the best of luck.”

The Midsummer Melodies concert starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are £5 and available from the All Saints Church parish office on 01473 251630.

To sponsor Mr and Mrs Roberts for their bike ride, which starts on September 4, visit www.justgiving/garethandruth.

Are you taking part in a charity event that you want to publicise? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.