A compassionate couple who read about a Sutton charity for disadvantaged children in the local paper are set to embark on a gruelling cycle ride to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the organisation.

Dennis Kennedy and his wife Laurie-Anne are among a six-strong team from the town who are set to ride 132 miles to the mid-Wales coast to raise funds for the Oliver 68 charity. The organisation owns a large house at Llyngwryll, near Barmouth, where volunteers take children aged six to 11 on holiday.

The youngsters get to take part in a range of activities there which they might otherwise be unable to pursue.

"Not too put a finer point on it some of the children have had a shocking start to life through no fault of their own," he said.
"We are able to offer them a break where they can do things like crabbing and visiting slate mines."

Dennis said training for the ride had begun in earnest in the last week.
"We have done some training, as much as work and family commitments have allowed, on and off for the last couple of months.
"We have been cycling around Sutton Park for the last week.
"My chief worry is the weather and our backsides," he joked.

Dennis got involved with the charity after reading about the plight of the youngsters it cares for in the Observer.

"Two years ago the charity had a double page spread in the Observer, we contacted them as a result of that and now I am on the committee.
"In the last two years we have taken 22 children on holiday - it is very rewarding."

The team is due to set off from Sutton Coldfield United Reform Church, in Britwell Lane, on Wednesday, September 18, and hopes to arrive for a special celebration the following Saturday.

Funds raised will go towards the upkeep of the building. Members often spend weekends working on the house.

Anyone who wishes to sponsor the riders or donate cash to the charity should contact Mark and Kathryn Willis, on 0121 354 8218.