THREE friends who have each tragically lost children are taking part in a charity coast-to-coast cycle ride.

The novice riders are among 11 men who are swapping their business suits for cycling shorts for the 200 mile, three-day ride.

They will start at St Bee's Head in the Lake District on July 26 and ride 60 miles a day along the coast-to-coast route until they reach Robin Hood's Bay, south of Whitby, on July 29.

And all the money raised will go to cancer research and the Anthony Nolan Trust as way of saying thanks doctors who helped treat nine-year-old Alex Charnley, who lost a two-and-a-half-year battle against non-Hodgkinsons lymphoma last November.

Organiser David Fowler, 36, of Knowsley Road, Wilpshire, said: "The guys decided we wanted to give something back as way of appreciation for everything that was done for Alex.

"The consultants never stopped supporting the family and were really tremendous.

"With cancer there is something we can do if we look forward and work to help research and support. But most of us have not ridden a bike since we were teenagers so we have a lot of work to do to get in shape!"

Alex's father Clive, 45, of York Crescent, Blackburn, said: "It is all very dear friends and close family who are backing us and the idea has just snow balled.

"I know I have extra pounds to shed to make the ride more enjoyable so I have enrolled in the gym.

"We are really looking forward to it.

"There are some real characters so it should be a good crack if nothing else!"

The riders will be joined by Pete Sumner - who cycled round the world in aid of cancer research in 1990 - is helping the lads get into shape.

Graham Walsh, whose two-year-old daughter Hannah died tragically, is also taking part.

David said: "We know it won't be a doodle and when I first got on the bike I was exhausted but I am doing about 20 miles a day so it is getting better. The test will be a ride round Kendal this weekend."

And Alf Henry, 55, of Calgary Avenue, Blackburn, is also joining the bike ride after losing his daughter Alison in a car crash.

He said: "The ride itself will be dedicated to three local children and hopes to raise money for a very worthy cause as well as increasing awareness about cancer.

"We are extremely grateful for everyone's support and donations."

The other cyclists hoping to raise thousands of pounds are Geoff Fowler, Mark Nightingale, Alex's godfather Geoff Bond, Alan Proctor, Paul Gavin and Neil Hodgkinson.

Russell Morgan of Cicely Mercedes Dealers in Preston is providing a support van to follow the team.