Two cousins from Caerphilly will embark on a 500-mile cycle ride through the Scottish Highlands later this week to raise money for a children’s hospital.

Carl Stokes, 47, and cousin Phil Flew, 56, will begin the challenge on Saturday, July 31, and will be hoping to complete it within six days in aid of Cardiff-based Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital.

The pair began cycling at the beginning of last year, after Phil came out of hospital following a bout of pneumonia.

Determined to improve his health and fitness following the illness, Phil took up cycling with his cousin Carl at the beginning of lockdown.

Since then, they have set up their own cycling group, called ‘The Ferrets’, made up of themselves and a few friends. They have been out cycling nearly every day since.

While in Scotland, the duo will be joined by friends Robert Flew and Paul Davies, who will be setting up the camps where they’ll sleep during the nights, as well as providing food and support.

Carl and Phil will be aiming to cycle between 80 and 100 miles each day along the North Coast 500 – a route that has been dubbed as Scotland’s ‘Route 66’.

The 516-mile route starts and ends at Inverness Castle, but circles the north coast of Scotland, passing through John O’Groats – the most northerly point in Great Britain – along the way.

Carl and Phil decided to do the challenge for Noah’s Ark after hearing about the how the pandemic had impacted the charity’s fundraising.

Carl’s son Harri, who is now 13, was born with clubfoot – a deformity which causes a child’s foot to turn inwards. Harri received treatment at Noah’s Ark to straighten his foot.

The charity is also close to the heart of Ferrets group member Troy Keogh.

Troy’s son, Marley, has cerebral palsy, and has been cared for by the hospital.

The duo would like to thank sponsors RSP Sprinklers, in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly Sports Supplements, CAM Motor Spares, and BikeShredz.

To make a donation to Carl and Phil’s fundraiser, visit their JustGiving page.