Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles are getting behind Pedal to Poland, an initiative by a team of nine amateur cyclists to cycle from Dublin to Gdansk in time for Ireland's first round match against Spain in the European Football Championships.

The cyclists will travel through five countries and cover 1,500km in two weeks while raising money for charity. Arthritis Ireland, Headstrong - The National Centre for Youth Mental Health and Renewable World are the three beneficiaries of the event which will see participants cycle more than 100km per day.

"Pedal to Poland is an idea that we came up with around Christmas time, when we were talking about how we would get to the Euros. So we decided that we would cycle and as a result of that idea, that we would do it for charity. The three charities have a specific interest to each of us in the group. We are delighted that Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has decided to help us out with the loan of the Crafter as a support vehicle on the event," said Hugh Arthur, one of the organisers.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles are supplying the guys with a Volkswagen Crafter as a support vehicle for the duration of the event and they recently handed over the keys of the vehicle at Volkswagen's headquarters in Liffey Valley, Dublin.

The team are setting off today on their epic journey and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles wish them the best of luck. "We are in full support of this initiative which certainly isn't the easiest way to get to the Euros," commented Niall Phillips, Sales and Marketing Manager for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. "The Crafter is certainly big enough to swallow their bikes and gear pretty easily so it is great that they will be in the Irish Van of their Year for their mammoth trip."