TWO men who are cycling from Looe to India to raise money for the charity, Ellie's Haven, will be joined en route in Turkey by a third local man.

The sponsored challenge, named The High Road to India, which it is estimated will take about six months, started on Monday, when Oliver Slee and Jodie Bellamy set off from Looe on the cycle ride to Mumbai. They will be joined by their friend, Daniel Marshall, in Istanbul on January 3.

Money raised will be used to help renovate Ellie's Haven's property in Duloe which will offer holiday breaks for children with life-limiting illnesses and their families. 

'Many thanks to Oliver, Jodie and Daniel for picking Ellie's Haven,' said Nigel Libby, the charity's general manager and co-founder. 'The money they raise will help us achieve our goal of bringing relief to children with long-term and life-limiting medical conditions.'

The fundraisers will travel through 14 European countries, beginning with France, and then another seven countries including China and Nepal before reaching their final destination in India.

'We will unfortunately be following the winter pretty much all the way to India,' they said. 'Europe will be cold in November and December, then we catch Iran's winter, which will be below freezing, and when heading through Kyrgyzstan the average low temperature will be around -20.

'We will be camping the majority of the time and we think it will roughly take about six months.'

Those wishing to show support for the challenge can visit Oliver's JustGiving page at http://www.justgiving">www.justgiving. com/cornwall-mumbai

For more about the trio's plans, see Oliver's website: at http://www.supersized">www.supersized

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