FRIENDS plan to climb more than 15,000 feet over unforgiving mountains on their bikes to ease the suffering of orphaned children.
Mark Hammond, 46, of Hilltop, Loughton, and his friend Nick Charalambous, 49, of Oak Hill, Woodford Green are planning to take part in the La Marmotte, which sees amateur cyclists cover more than 100 miles over the French Alps in a day.
The money they raise will go towards a project being run by Epping-based charity Fountain of Peace to build 14 homes for 10 children in Uganda, many of whom have been orphaned by AIDS.
The IT worker said: “I’ve got a little boy, Ben, who’s three, and a girl, Hannah, who’s eight.
“They’re fortunate enough to have a good start in their life and my thoughts go out to those who have nothing.”
Mr Charalambous, who met Dr Hammond through spinning classes at Physicals Fitness Club in South Woodford, added: “It’s going to be challenging, because we’re going to be in the saddle for more than 10 hours.
“But we’ve been training for it and it’ll be worth it.”
To support the project, visit justgiving.com/MarmotteMission.
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