Two of the region’s business leaders are swapping their suits for saddles this week, to embark on a 130-mile cycle challenge in support of a Skipton based children’s charity.

Darren Hirst, Director of Julius Baer Bank in Leeds and Simon Thomas, Director of Otley-based Greenholme Carpets, will cycle from Sheffield to Lake Windermere to raise funds for Skipton based, The Principle Trust Children’s Charity.

The plucky pair aim to raise £3000 for the Trust which provides free respite holidays to children who are underprivileged, disadvantaged, disabled, have life-limiting conditions, or who have experienced poverty, trauma or abuse.

The two riders will set off from Sheffield City Hall on Thursday 31 March, heading to Stockbridge and New Mill before arriving in Huddersfield at lunchtime. From there, the route takes them to Halifax, Brighouse and over the gruelling cobbles of Haworth Main Street before arriving in Skipton at the end of Day 1.

On Friday 1 April the pair will leave Skipton and head along the western edge of The Yorkshire Dales National Park to Gargrave, Giggleswick and Kirkby Lonsdale before arriving at White Cross Bay on the banks of Lake Windermere, where some of the charity’s holiday lodges are based.

Simon, 61, who is a trustee of the charity, said, “Over the past ten years the Trust has helped thousands of disadvantaged, disabled and poorly children to escape their everyday troubles and create valuable, happy memories. Every penny we raise will help The Trust to extend its services to families across the entire Yorkshire region.”

Donations can be made at www.localgiving.org/fundraising/miles-for-smiles/