SIX friends from Stroud will cycle 230 miles in the effort to raise money for local medical charity Cobalt.

Sam Grimshaw, Ben Lilly, Giles Grainger, Andy Wallace and Noel Lewis will climb the equivalent of Everest during their ride which begins on June 22 and concludes six days later.

Over 75 per cent of the ride will be off road and the climb will be 75,000 feet.

They will cross three national parks including the Lake District at Ravenglass crossing the Yorkshire Dales and finishing at Ravenscar after conquering the North York Moors.

The friends chose Cobalt as their charity because of the work they do fighting cancer and the quality of equipment they provide.

“Cancer or dementia has touched us all at some point or another and we now just want to give something back to raise vital funds for Cobalt,” said Giles who owns Terrascapes in Stroud.

“We’re training every week so we’re ready to take on the challenge.”

Andy Wallace whose sister is currently receiving treatment for cancer said: “My wife and I both have friends and family members who we have lost or are currently undergoing treatment for these diseases.

“I thought this challenge was a way for me to show how much I care and hopefully, the money raised will help other families in the future.”

Funds raised will help the charity purchase a new MRI scanner for the Cobalt Imaging Centre in Cheltenham.

Sam, Ben, Giles, Andy and Noel who have named themselves The Muddy Funkers are aiming to raise £3000. Their total currently sits on £960.25.

To donate to their cause click here