TWO Bournemouth friends are set to cycle 480 miles to the Netherlands over six days to help cancer patients in Dorset.

Joe O’Toole and Natty Falzoni, both 24 from Southbourne, will travel from Portsmouth via ferry to Caen in France on August 24 and aim to cycle 130km a day through France and Belgium.

The pair hope to reach Eindhoven by August 30.

Joe currently lives in the Netherlands where is studying physiotherapy, while Natty is an ambulance care assistant for patient transport in Bournemouth.

Joe said: “I returned home from university at the start of lockdown and have been very proud to see how the communities here in Southbourne and across Dorset have rallied to help each other during the Covid crisis.

“Natty and I love cycling and decided we could use that love to set ourselves a real challenge and help people too.

“A friend told us about the work of DCCF, a small charity which helps local people who are struggling financially because of cancer.

“When we contacted DCCF to explain what we were hoping to do we learned the charity has been facing real hardship during lockdown because most of its fundraising events have been unable to go ahead.

“This made us even more determined to smash this challenge and raise as much money as we can for DCCF.”

Team Speed, as they have dubbed themselves, are already close to raising their £1000 target, but hope more people will come forward and support them via their online JustGiving.

Chris Thomas, the chairman of DCCF, said: “It really makes my heart swell with pride and gratitude when two great lads like Joe and Natty step up to help DCCF.

“The last few months have been a battle for the charity and the many people here in Dorset we support, who are already facing cancer against the added stress and worry of a global pandemic.

“Joe and Natty are an inspiration, their challenge is mighty and we hope they will inspire other young people to come forward and help DCCF too.”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/team/speed.