FAMILY and friends of a Wirral teenager who was killed in a car crash are to set to get on their bikes raising funds for the charity set up in her memory.

Nineteen-year-old Charlotte Churchill, who died in April 2011, inspired her mother Angie to launch Charlotte’s Brightside CLC which gives youngsters a safe place to hang out in Wallasey.

The charity quickly gathered support and its centre was opened earlier this year in Molyneux Drive with dance and drama classes being particularly popular.

And now a team of four, including Charlotte’s dad, Vinnie, are getting ready to take on a 100-mile cycle challenge from Holyhead in North Wales back to Liscard.

The event, which will take place on Saturday, June 22, will see the group travel along the coast past Colwyn Bay and Connah’s Quay before completing their mammoth task at the The Boot pub.

And Andy Antley, who is taking part in Charlotte’s Bikeathon, said he is pleased he can get involved with the charity.

He said: “As a friend of Charlotte’s family, I have supported Brightside in any way I could over the past couple of years but I’m really pleased that we can finally get out there and raise some awareness and funds ourselves.

“We’ve been training over the last six months and have been increasing the mileage each time we cycle somewhere. We’re going to take our time and make sure we do it right so we can complete the whole thing.

He added: “Charlotte was a real one-off and would light up any room she walked into so we are all only too happy to do this in her memory. I think she’d be having a good old laugh at us all slogging it out on the day but I know she’ll be cheering us on, especially her dad.”

Among the events held to raise funds for Brightside was Charlotte Fest which has taken place for the past two years at Vale Park, Wallasey.

And Angie is calling on Globe readers to get behind this year’s event on September 14 and is encouraging supporters to gather at The Boot to meet the cyclists next week where they can buy wristbands for Charlotte Fest.

The team have also pledged to donate £100 of their sponsorship toward Wirral five-year-old Joey Oakley who was left devastated after his birthday present was stolen by cruel thieves.

The youngster featured in the Globe this week appealing for witnesses after he saved £800 to buy an electric trials bike which was taken the night before his birthday.

Angie said: “I’ve been in contact with Joey’s mum and we have offered to give some of the bikeathon money to him to go towards a new bike.

“We want all the Brightside supporters down at The Boot next Saturday to cheer on the cyclists as they arrive back. It will also be the first chance to buy wristbands for this year’s Charlotte Fest which is going to be another amazing event.”

To sponsor Charlotte’s Bikeathon visit http://localgiving.com/charity/charlottesbrightside