THESE teenage rugby players are swapping their boots for bikes and running shoes to tackle a triathlon in aid of a vital emergency service.

New Earswick All Blacks U13s are aiming to complete a 999-themed triathlon on Sunday by running nine laps of Huntington Road stadium’s athletic track, cycling 9km and swimming nine laps of Water World’s swimming pool.

Money raised from the event will be donated to the Air Ambulance and SASH, a charity supporting young homeless people in the city.

Rob Horn, the club’s manager, said: “There’s 18 of them doing it and if we raise hundreds of pounds it’s all going to the right causes.

“I’ve spoken to the charities and they are all pleased we are doing this and they are trying to get some representatives down there.

“One of the parents has an affinity to Yorkshire Air Ambulance and it’s an important charity for Yorkshire.

“The boys are all really looking forward to it and have been doing a bit of training and dusting the cobwebs off their bikes.

“We did consider planning out a cycling route but just for safety reasons we can use the track and then go into the swimming pool.”

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance flies 365 days a year to serious incidents across the region.

According to their website, the charity needs £9,990 per day to keep both of their helicopters in the air.

SASH prevent homelessness in young people aged 16-25 in York, North Yorkshire and East Riding to help them access education, training, employment and new skills.