KEEN cyclists will tackle a four-day ride to France to raise money for a children's charity.

Egremont Rugby Union Cycling Club members - Ben Jacques, Billy Redden, Liam Nicholls, Ryan Nicholls and Steven Butler - are cycling from London to Paris to raise money for The Sick Children's Trust.

Setting off on Wednesday, July 20, the cyclists will arrive in Paris the day before this year's finale to the Tour de France.

The five friends decided to take up the challenge to help the trust after Liam had received its help while his son Harry was in hospital.

Billy said: "We all ride together and we had talked about it for a while, when we finally booked it we decided to support the trust.

"When Liam's little boy was a baby he benefited a lot from its support, they provided somewhere for the family to stay while Harry was poorly in hospital."

The Sick Children's Trust provides 'Home from Home' accommodation for families in times of need so they can be close to their children who are ill in hospital.

Every penny the boys raise will go straight to the charity as they have self-funded the trip. 

"We can't wait, we ride over four days and arrive in Paris just before the tour so we're staying for that. I've never rode abroad before so it will be something new," said Billy.

"We haven't trained as much as we should have but with the weather starting to turn, we'll get plenty done before we go.

He added: "There isn't a target, but we managed to raise £750 when we held a comedy night and we've got a music night in Moor Row coming up too. 

"We're also planning an Oktoberfest-style weekend at Egremont rugby club in August. We'll hopefully raise quite a bit."

The music night, held at Moor Row Working Men's club on Friday, May 27, will involve performances by Mama Sang and the Robot and Newton Smith. Tickets cost £5.

For more information visit 'ERUCC London 2 Paris 2016' on Facebook.