Aidan and Jack take on gruelling cycle for Cancer Research UK

Two Ottery teenagers are putting their passion for pedal-power to the test with a gruelling 52-mile coastal ride for Cancer Research UK.

Aidan Pearcy, 14, and Jack Dallyn, 14, only seriously took up cycling a year ago, but have seized the opportunity to do some good through their sport of choice and hope to raise £500 on Monday.

The cause is one that is close to Aidan’s heart because his mum, Mags, died from cancer when he was very young and he will ride in her memory.

The two King’s School students mapped a route from the Land of Canaan car park, through Exmouth, Sandy Bay, Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth, Branscombe, Beer and Seaton, tackling a total 3,491 feet of hill climbs, before returning to Ottery.

Aidan said: “My mum died of cancer when I was young, so we both thought it would be a good idea to raise money for Cancer Research UK. This is the first big event we have done together.

“We have been going on a lot of rides and practising on East Hill. We hope to raise more than £500. We have got about £420, so we are doing quite well.”

His dad, Steve, will be out supporting him and says he is very proud of the boys.

Jack said: “I got a road bike for my birthday so we started doing a lot more cycling. It was a bit of fun to start with and now we are raising money for a great charity. ”

The cycling duo do not know how long it will take them to ride the 52 miles, but they will be setting off from Ottery at 8.30am and welcome anyone who would like to come out and support them.

Jack’s mum, Donna, said: “It was all their own idea and completely off their own back. The next thing we know, they have put up posters and set up a Justgiving page and everything..”

Anyone who would like to add their support can visit: www.justgiving.com/teams/coastalride.