CYCLING 439 miles and climbing up three mountains in eight days is not every student’s idea of fundraising fun after sitting final year undergraduate exams.

But Simon Patterson, of Hatton Lane, Stretton is doing just that.

He said: “The idea came from a late night discussion after a couple of beers!

“We decided to raise money for Cancer Research because some of the group have lost family and friends to cancer.

Simon’s grandfather Fred died of pancreatic cancer two years ago, and his grandmother, Marjorie died of cancer of the throat before he was born.

The 22-year-old Geology student at the University of Leeds along with his friends David Brown, from Salisbury and Steve Sparrow, from Nottingham, will embark on the adventure on Tuesday.

Regular exercise and visits to the gym will prepare them for the 80 miles that they plan to cycle each day.

The trio will start by getting the the train from Leeds to Ben Nevis. They will climb to the top of the Scottish peak then cycle to Cumbria’s Scafell Pike.

After climbing England’s highest mountain they will cycle to their final destination, Mount Snowdon before getting the train back to Leeds for a well earned rest.

On route to Wales, Simon and his friends will be taking a break from youth hostels and calling at home in Stretton for some luxury and homemade cooking!

Simon added: “Our friends think we are mad but they are quite impressed.”

After completing the expedition, Simon can relax for a few months before starting a Geology masters at London’s Imperial College.

Not only is the sky the limit for the three men in terms of exercise, but their fundraising target is also ambitious at £2,000.

So far the group has raised about £1,100.

To help them reach their target visit justgiving.com:80/student3peakcycle