TWO cyclists are gearing up to cycle from John O'Groats to Land's End to raise cash for a trip to South Africa to help underprivileged youngsters.

Jack Bennett and Daniel Wright want to raise as much as possible from the 963-miles cycle in August to fund the caring trip to Port Elizabeth, as part of the Umzingisi Project charity trip in March.

The Bridgwater College students have been training hard for months for the unaided challenge, expected to take 14 days.

While in South Africa, the 17-year-olds are set to coach children in a series of sports such as football, hockey and cricket and organise community sporting events.

Jack said: "This is a superb chance for us to help a struggling community.

"We hope to raise money to take the orphanage children on a day trip, provide sports and food and give the local schools some much-needed equipment."

They will also visit an orphanage which benefits from cash raised.

The duo are expected to set off on their gruelling cycle on August 2. Anyone wishing to sponsor them can leave cheques, payable to Support Jack and Dan, at Skidmarx Cycles in Highbridge.