Four intrepid youngsters will be setting off on Tuesday on a 600 mile charity cycle ride.

Tom Bowles, 18, Amy Bowles,16, both of Castle Hedingham, Kieran Dibley,18, of Thurston, and Victoria Burgess, 17, of Pebmarsh, leave England destined for the village of Aiguebelette-le-lac in the south east of France.

Their journey will take them through Paris, Orleans and Lyon and they will stay at campsites and youth hostels along the way.

The four wanted to go to Aiguebelette-le-lac to watch the Rowing World Championships which start on August 30, but instead of booking flights they decided to cycle there and raise money for Breast Cancer Care.

Amy, of Castle Hedingham, said: “Breast cancer is such a common disease and lots of fundraising goes into finding a cure, but we felt that not enough is being done to support the people who have already been diagnosed.”

Her brother Tom added: “We have been training quite hard and have been going out together on our bikes.

“We picked up our spare tyres the other day and it has all started to sink in.

“We are feeling nervous, but also excited.

“The weather is supposed to be good, but we don’t want it to be too hot.”

The group of rowers from Sudbury Rowing Club has had a successful time fundraising, getting more than £200 donated in one day at the stall at the Sudbury Regatta on August 1 and £150 on a cake stall.

They have raised more than £1,000, almost double their initial target of £600.

You can still donate by visiting justgiving.com/southoffrancecycle or texting FRNC60 £10 to 70070 to donate £10.