A GROUP of 12 friends are about to embark on a £20,000 five-day cycle challenge.

The doughty dozen are cycling from London to East Shallowford Farm near Widecombe-in-the-Moor.

The farm is a charity which takes in children from inner city areas who have never experienced time in the open country.

Youngsters get to see a working farm with livestock. They learn how to care for the animals and their young, from feeding and watering, and cleaning out stables.

A spokesman said: ‘The visits to East Shallowford provide many opportunities for new learning and new experiences. The young people may live in concrete housing estates without a view, but on the farm they have weighed lambs, witnessed the birth of calves, rebuilt dry stone walls, learned to take responsibility for animals, and become part of an ongoing working community.’

Children can also take part in challenging activities including mountain biking and horse riding, camping and discovery walks.

The 250-mile ride will take four days and sets off from London on August 25. The team will be staying in church halls each night, the final one in Bovey Tracey before they begin the long ascent to Widecombe where they hope to arrive late morning on August 29.

Anyone wanting to donate can do so by visiting www.cafdonate.cafonline.org/10296.