A PAIR of sporty 11-year-olds from Essex are gearing up for a challenge this Easter as they train for a cycle ride all in the name of charity. The duo will be embarking on a 40km cycle trip in aid of the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity.

A PAIR of sporty 11-year-olds from Essex are gearing up for a challenge this Easter as they train for a cycle ride all in the name of charity.

The duo, from Felsted Prep School, will be embarking on a 40km cycle trip in aid of the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity on April 12 and 13.

The two best friends, Mikey Barton and Angus Muir, decided to get together to ride a 40km route, as it is something they have always wanted to do.

Helen Barton, Mikey's mother, said: "The boys have to show the school they have been involved in charitable work and although they have wanted to do a charity ride for a while; this has really motivated Angus and Mikey.

"A few of the parents recently held a coffee morning at the school in aid of the same charity and when we took the leaflets home and read them, both the boys decided to fundraise for it as they found the work of the charity really interesting."

The Helen Rollason Cancer Charity funds and operates a network of cancer support centres in the area. Two of which are situated in Chelmsford, one in Springfield, the other on the Broomfield Hospital site.

The centres offer cancer patients access to complementary therapies, counselling and support groups. In addition, the charity funds an extensive research programme into the disease. Mrs Barton added: "The boys really love playing hockey and rugby, but I think they will find this bike ride quite a challenge - it is approximately 25 miles - so it will be great to see them finish the ride and their families will be very proud of both of them."

Mikey and Angus, who will be joined by their mothers Helen Barton and Rachel Muir, aim to raise �500 for the charity and have already reached the halfway mark.

To donate to their fundraising efforts visit justgiving.com/Helen-Barton2