FOUR Bournemouth students are gearing up for a 15-mile bike ride to raise funds for a charity trip to Ecuador.

Harewood College students Adam Primmer, Aidan Cuttler-Crawford, Rhys Moore-Haines and Ben Nott will ride from Boscombe to Corfe Castle on Sunday June 8 to kick start their campaign to raise £2,000 each.

Run by the Me To We organisation, the trip will see the students learn about the ecology of the Amazon while undertaking voluntary work to help the local communities who live there.

Aidan, 15, said: “We are so excited about going to Ecuador and learning about the impact deforestation is having on the local communities there and on the environment for all of us. When we are there we will be working on reforestation projects with local groups, connecting with the people and learning first-hand about the indigenous rights movement.

“We have a year to raise the money we need to get to Ecuador and we hope people can start supporting us through the bike ride.”

As well as seeking sponsorship for the bike ride, the Year 10 students will have collection buckets with them to raise money on the day.

Executive head teacher of Harewood College, Debbie Godfrey-Phaure, said: “We hope as many people as possible support the boys for their sponsored bike ride. They are determined to raise the money they need for the trip and their drive and passion for this project is infectious.

“Me To We is a wonderful organisation that enriches the experience and education of young people while helping some very worthwhile projects across the globe.”

After their cycle ride the boys’ next fundraising drive will be selling Fairtrade lemonade from a stall at the school summer fayre on July 11.

Anyone interested in supporting or sponsoring the boys should contact Kathryn Loughnan, director of enterprise at Avonbourne Trust, on 01202 727015.

For more information about Me To We go to metowe.com.