A TEAM of 16 cyclists is preparing to hit the road for a gruelling trek in aid of a Wirral charity supporting children with cerebral palsy.

Proceeds from the 130-mile ride from Walney Island, near Barrow-in-Furness, to Wallasey will go to Stick 'n' Step.

The cyclists, who also work for Co-op or are close friends, plan to set out from Walney Island at first light on June 8 and reach the charity's Wallasey centre before dark on the same day. The aim is to raise £5,000.

Leading them on the day is the charity's own chair, Rob Shorthouse, who is head of IT architecture at Co-op.

His five-year-old nephew Oscar attends conductive education classes at Stick'n'Step.

Rob has been a keen fundraiser for the charity for several years, taking part in charity golf days and other cycle challenges.

The Co-op IT team has named Stick 'n' Step as one of its three charities of the year, supporting all kinds of community initiatives at the organisation's centres, including helping with gardening, grounds maintenance and providing IT support.

Rob said: "My nephew Oscar has cerebral palsy. He gets fabulous support and help to learn vital life skills at Stick 'n' Step's conductive education classes, totally free of charge.

"It costs £4,500 to fund a child's place at Stick 'n' Step for a year and it would be fantastic to be able to provide another child with the opportunities Oscar is getting to realise his full potential."

The charity offers support services to children with cerebral palsy and their families.

It provides the children with totally free of charge conductive education sessions, allowing them to gain the skills they need to live independent lives.

In total, 94 children from across the region attend these sessions weekly or twice weekly at the charity's Wallasey and Runcorn centres.

Amy Couture, chief executive of Stick 'n' Step, said: "We are immensely proud of our inspirational chair.

"He works tirelessly to give our board direction and the fact he is donating even more of his time to undertake this daunting challenge means a tremendous amount to us."

To help the cyclists reach their fundraising target, go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/W2W