Tandem challenge for kids' hospital

A PAIR of South Yorkshire fundraisers are hopping aboard a bicycle made for two to raise cash for Sheffield Children's Hospital.

By The Newsroom

Published 30th Aug 2007, 11:36 BST

Updated 30th Aug 2007, 15:03 BST

Dean Ridge, aged 33, of Hillsborough, will ride a tandem with his friend Mark Hannigan, 41, from Rossington in Doncaster, from Lands End to John O'Groats.

The 874-mile journey is expected to take 14 days, with all proceeds going towards the hospital's 120,000 appeal for a 'Bear 2' Retrieval Ambulance - a specialist vehicle for the Intensive Care Team.

Dean, an IT manager for estate agent Blundells, said: "We don't have too much biking experience - we do a bit of cycling when we feel like it but that has all changed now as we have started our strict training programme to get ourselves ready.”

Mark, an NHS project manager , and Dean are receiving 10,000 from Dean’s employers.

A spokesman said: "Sheffield Children's Hospital Charity is a cause close to our hearts here.”