AROUND 15 friends from Redditch and Bromsgrove are set to take part in a gruelling 100 mile cycle challenge to raise vital funds for two hospitals specialising in the care of babies and children.

The group will travel from Cheshire to Redditch between Saturday, May 23 and Sunday May 24, with all money raised through sponsership being donated to Birmingham Children's Hospital's neurology and neurosurgery department and the foetal medicine department at Birmingham Women's Hospital.

Both experienced and novice cyclists will take part in the challenge with the youngest participants being teenagers, Ella McAfee and Brandon Winter.

The team were motivated to take on the challenge as Sarah Williams and Jason Simmons' son Billy, now aged almost two, was diagnosed with a brain condition prior to his birth and required medical treatment from the hospitals.

The couple have thanked the hospitals which played a vital role in offering support and helping them through very difficult times following an uncertain diagnosis prenatally.

The team will be holding a fun day at the Fleece Hotel in Redditch on Saturday, May 2 starting at 13.30pm, where a range of activities will be taking place including a barbecue, cake stall, bouncing castle, football, golf games, sumo wrestling, a disco and a raffle.

The disco will start at 7.30pm.

Local businesses have donated to the raffle including Baby Swim Plus, Paws and Whiskers Spa, Cakes on Sticks, RAF Car Detailing, Vehicle Body Services, Mike Vaughan Cycles and The Fleece Hotel.

For more information visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/billybikeride.