Three representatives from Mansfield Town Football Club set off on a charity cycle ride from London to Amsterdam today.

Stags’ head of media and communications Mark Stevenson, club mascot Doug Carroll (better known as Sammy the Stag) and Stephen Radford, brother of chairman John Radford, are taking part in the 150-mile cycle ride.

Departing Leyton Orient’s Matchroom Stadium and heading through the rural Suffolk countryside to Harwich, the three-man team will catch an overnight ferry to the Netherlands.

On Saturday, they will ride a further 60 miles to the Amsterdam Arena, home of four-time European Cup winners AFC Ajax, before returning home the following day.

The Football League has invited all 92 member clubs to take part in the ride to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK.

Mark Stevenson said: “We all consider it an honour to represent the club in this cycle challenge to help raise both the profile and the funds of Prostate Cancer UK.

“Having worked closely with the charity in the last few months, I have been hugely impressed by the work which they do to help others.

“In conjunction with every other club in the Football League taking part, we’re expecting to raise around £150,000 for Prostate Cancer UK.

“We’re incredibly grateful to those who have sponsored us,” he added.

Ben Hutchinson has withdrawn from participating due to personal circumstances whilst scoreboard operator Stuart Eggleshaw has been told by doctors not to take part after suffering a broken rib on Wednesday in a road accident.

To sponsor the team go to www.justgiving.com/mansfieldtownfc