The four-day cycling trip will travel from Venice to Milan via some of northern Italy’s most historic towns and lakes in June 2020.

Azure Collection is holding the event to raise money for Amy and Friends, which supports children and families suffering from Cockayne Syndrome (CS) and Trichothiodystrophy (TTD) – a rare condition that can cause premature aging and cancer in children.

Azure’s managing director Jayne O’Gorman (pictured above) said 20 people had so far signed up for the sponsored ride, including Azure’s entire agency sales team, and she hopes they will end up with around 50 riders.

Participants in the charity ride, which is being specifically organised with charity bike ride experts Chapeau Events, will arrive in Italy on 24 June and then cycle for four days before arriving for the grand finale at the Duomo in Milan on 29 June.

“The route could not be more beautiful and the cycling is not demanding,” explained O’Gorman. “It’s mainly flat with some undulations but nothing that is remotely hard. The daily distances on some days may seem daunting but they are broken up into four sectors.

“There are plenty of other optional stops on the route for sightseeing, coffee or staggering views to photograph - even the odd vineyard. This is not a race but a way to really enjoy the country and experience the multi-fold splendours of Italy.”

Agents taking part in the ride will have to pay for their own flights but all meals and five nights’ accommodation (based on a twin share) will be included. Participants have to raise a minimum of £1,250 in sponsorship.

Azure started raising money for Amy and Friends in 2017 after O’Gorman met Jayne Hughes, Amy’s mum and the charity’s founder.

“We hit it off immediately and we were chatting about our children and family and what we did, and she told me all about Amy and CS,” said O’Gorman.

“We arranged to meet up again and I decided that I would love to support them and so they became one of Azure’s chosen charities at our annual charity ball in 2017.”

Azure is also running a separate competition to raise funds for Amy and Friends to win a £10,000 seven-night holiday to Pangkor Laut Resort in Malaysia, including the exclusive Pavarotti Suite, a spa treatment and flights with British Airways.

The operator is encouraging agents to sell tickets for this competition, which can also be used to help raise funds for the cycle ride.

More details about the charity bike ride