THREE friends from York are embarking on a challenge to cycle 856 miles in just five days to raise money for a children's hospice.

Henry Richardson, aged 29, Joe Tuohy, 32, and Duncan Sleigh, 30, will set off from Land’s End later this month and cycle between 165 and 200 miles per day until they reach John O’Groats.

Henry who works at Your Marquee said they had received generous donations from many local firms, with Your Marquee providing their support car, Portland Fuel, a local fuel analytics company where Joe and Duncan work, donating the fuel and York Cycle Works giving them sports nutrition and pre-trip bike set-ups.

Money raised will be donated to Martin House Children’s Hospice.

Henry said: "We’ve worked with them before and they were great. They were really grateful for any help we could give and this time it’s set to be quite a lot more. It’s a local charity too which is good and we’re excited to support the work they do."

They have raised £1000 already but hope to raise as much as possible.

Anybody interested in donating can visit www.justgiving.com/portland-yourmarquee/

Henry said they completed the cycle in 2008 in eight days and said "never again".

"But we like a good challenge and wanted to raise some more money for Martin House so couldn’t resist doing one better, hence the five day plan!"