A TEAM of doctors are summoning all their pedal power to buy a vital scanner that could have saved the life of their colleague.

Seven doctors from Hedge End Medical Centre will cycle 260 miles from Land’s End to Hedge End in memory of Richard Percival, who died suddenly from a stroke last year.

The 47-year-old had been planning his own bike ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats before tragedy struck so his friends have decided to take up the challenge – but with a twist.

Daily Echo:

Dr Richard Percival

They hope to raise more than £7,000, which will be donated to Percy Pals, the charity set up in Dr Percival’s memory, to buy a portable CT scanner for Southampton General Hospital’s Wessex Neuro Intensive Care Unit.

The cyclists head off on Thursday, returning to Hedge End’s Greta Park on Saturday where a family fun day will be taking place.

Those cycling will be Liz Cropley, Karl Graham, Sam Heal, Mark Hollands, Ruth Padday and John Bush.

Jennie Dock, Hedge End Medical Centre manager, said: “This is something that is close to our hearts and those of the patients, too. He was a well-loved doctor.”

To make a donation visit http://www.justgiving.com/hemc.