FOUR men from York are setting of on a 750 cycling challenge across Vietnam to raise money for a cancer charity, and are staging a special event to help raise cash this weekend.

Friends Richard Anelay, Lewis Black, Alex Brinton and Joe Platt all grew up in York, and have wanted to raise money for CLIC Sargent since Richard was diagnosed with cancer himself at the age of 18.

Three years later Richard has recovered from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and been given the all clear, and now the four have decided that the marathon bike ride is the perfect way to raise sponsorship money for the charity, and will let them thank the charity which supported Richard through his treatment.

Richard said: "We want to make sure the charity can continue to help other children and young people diagnosed with cancer. We are therefore aiming to raise £3500 in support of this cause. All of the money will go straight to the charity.

"The charity helped me throughout my treatment and has provided on-going care ever since. They even helped me to continue studying at The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts where I have recently graduated, in spite of all the time off and health problems."

They will set off on the cycling challenge in October, but as part of their fundraising efforts the group have organised a special fundraising event tomorrow, Saturday, August 30 at the Red Lion Pub on Merchantgate in York.

There will be live music, BBQ, bottle bar, raffle and other fundraising challenges like the Ice Bucket Challenge.

For more information, or to donate to the four, go to www.justgiving.com/ladscyclingforcancer.